Seroprevalence of antibodies to ruminant pestiviruses in sheep and goats in Tyrol (Austria)

In this study 2058 blood samples from sheep of 150 flocks from the province of Tyrol were tested by ELISA and serum neutralisation tests for antibodies to ruminant pestiviruses. In the ELISA, positive results were obtained with 34.9% of individual sheep sera and in 89.3% of the sheep flocks. The prevalence in sheep and sheep flocks varied according to areas. Seroprevalence of pestiviruses was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in small ruminants pastured during summertime on the Alps. Comparative neutralisation studies were carried out on all positive blood samples with BVDV-1, BVDV-2 and BDV. 443 seropositive sheep samples exhibited clearly the highest titre against one of the pestivirus strains tested. 413 revealed the highest titres (2 or more fold) to BVDV-1, 6 to BVDV-2 and 24 to BDV. In some areas a very high rate of pestivirus seroprevalence could be found. This fact could be harmful to the BVDV-Elimination and Controlling Program in cattle in Austria.     

Serological survey for antibodies against pestiviruses in sheep in Austria

The prevalence of antibodies to pestiviruses was investigated in 4931 sheep, in 377 flocks, in four federal states of Austria, by means of an indirect elisa that detected antibodies to Border disease virus (BDV) and bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). The mean flock prevalence was 62.9 per cent and the mean individual prevalence was 29.4 per cent. Comparative neutralisation studies on the elisa-positive samples with BVDV type 1 (BVDV-1), BVDV type 2 (BVDV-2) and BDV recorded 336 samples with higher titres (more than four times average) to BVDV-1, three samples with higher titres to BVDV-2 and 55 samples with higher titres to BDV. The other samples did not show clear differences in antibody titres against the strains of pestivirus tested because of cross-reactions. The seroprevalence of pestiviruses in sheep was significantly higher on farms with cattle. There were significant regional differences between the prevalences in flocks and individual sheep, the highest prevalences being in the region of Austria where communal alpine pasturing of sheep, goats and cattle is an important part of farming.     

Influence of communal alpine pasturing on the spread of pestiviruses among sheep and goats in Austria: first identification of border disease virus in Austria

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the influence of communal Alpine pasturing on the spread of pestivirus infections among sheep and goats. The study included 481 sheep from 23 farms and 131 goats from 26 farms pastured on separated Alpine meadows in the western part of Austria. At the starting of pasturing on the sheep meadow, 325 (67.6%) animals were seropositive, on the goat meadows in 16 (12.2%) samples antibodies to pestiviruses were detected. At the end of pasturing, 74 seronegative sheep and two seronegative goats had seroconverted. Between the beginning and the end of pasturing the seroprevalence in sheep increased significantly from 67.6% to 83% (P<0.05). Moreover, in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of four sheep, pestivirus-specific RNA was detected before as well as after pasturing; these animals remained serologically negative throughout the investigation. They were, therefore, identified as persistently infected. Sequence analysis in the N(pro) region revealed that the detected pestiviruses were the same at genetic level and they were grouped into the Border disease virus (BDV)-3 genotype. No pestivirus RNA was found in goat samples. The results of this survey indicate that communal Alpine pasturing does play a key role in the spread of BDV. Moreover, BDV has been identified and characterized for the first time in sheep in Austria, which until then had been regarded as being free from BD.     

Prevalence of antibodies to Dermatophilus congolensis in sheep and goats in Nigeria

A serological survey on dermatophilosis was carried out amongst sheep and goats in Kaduna State of Nigeria. Sera were obtained from slaughter animals and from sheep kept on an isolated ranch. The percentage of seropositive animals was 28.0 in slaughter sheep, 0.0 in sheep kept on the ranch, and 23.2 in slaughter goats. The high prevalence of D. congolensis antibodies among small ruminants compares well with the level of prevalence reported of cattle of cattle and calls for a concerted government effort for the control of the disease.     

Prevalence of antibodies to Dermatophilus congolensis in sheep and goats in Nigeria

Summary

A serological survey on dermatophilosis was carried out amongst sheep and goats in Kaduna State of Nigeria. Sera were‐obtained from slaughter animals and from sheep kept on an isolated ranch. The percentage of seropositive animals was 28.0 in slaughter sheep, 0.0 in sheep kept on the ranch, and 23.2 in slaughter goats. The high prevalence of D. congolensis antibodies among small ruminants compares well with the level of prevalence reported of cattle and calls for a concerted government effort for the control of the disease.     

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in dairy goats from 1982 to 1984

Serum samples from 1,000 dairy goats from northwest United States (1982 to 1984) were examined for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies by a modified agglutination test. Toxoplasma gondii antibody titers were less than 1.40 for 779 goats, 1.40 for 153 goats, and greater than or equal to 1:400 for 68 goats. Seroprevalence increased with age of goats; 3.7% of 54 six-month-old goats were seropositive (greater than or equal to 1:40) vs 17.8% of 218 one-year-old goats.     

Prevalence of antibodies to Leptospira serovars in sheep and goats in Alto Adige-South Tyrol

Serum samples from 313 sheep and 95 goats were collected during November 1993 in 26 localities in Alto Adige-South Tyrol and tested by microscopic agglutination test for antibodies to 28 serovars of the genus Leptospira. At the time of blood collection all the animals appeared healthy with no clinical sign suggestive of leptospirosis. The observed seroprevalence in sheep was 6.1%, whereas the seropositivity rate for goat serum samples was 2.1%. The highest serological prevalence in sheep was recorded for serovar castellonis, followed by poi, sejroe, hardjo subtype hardjobovis, copenhageni, and cynopteri. Titres to poi were the only ones found in goats. These findings, which are proof of Leptospira infection in Alto Adige-South Tyrol, indicate that foci of several serovars exist in this region.     

Prevalence of anti-Yersinia outer protein antibodies in goats in lower saxony

Little is known about the prevalence of caprine yersiniosis in Germany. Only few cases are reported every year. The intention of the survey was to provide representative data on the seroprevalence of anti-Yersinia antibodies in goats in the German state of Lower Saxony. A commercially available Western blot kit was used to identify caprine and ovine anti-Yersinia antibodies against five proteins [YopM, H, D, E and V-antigen (V-Ag)]. Of the 681 investigated goat sera, 449 (66%) had anti-Yop/V-Ag antibodies. Only two of 28 animal holdings housed sero-negative goats. Boxplot analysis showed that the number of non-reactive animals is correlated to the size of a herd and the fact of milk production, respectively. A tendency was observed that various management factors may influence the anti-Yersinia antibody status. No statement was possible on the impact of keeping additional carrier animals such as pigs, cows or sheep on a farm or the type of husbandry on the seroprevalence of anti-Yersinia antibodies. This study provides trend-setting data for yersiniosis in goat-holdings. The impact on consumer health, i.e. especially for risk groups-like people allergic to cow milk and the impact on the profit of a farm will have to be elucidated in further studies.     

Prevalence of antibodies against Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in dogs and foxes in Austria

Sera from 1770 dogs and 94 red foxes from Austria were examined for antibodies against Neospora caninum using the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). 3.6% of the dogs were seropositive with titres ranging from 1:50 to 1:6400. Dogs from rural areas were significantly more often seropositive for N. caninum than those from the urban area of Vienna (5.3% versus 2.1%). There were no significant differences in sex or breed, but a slight increase in seropositivity with age was apparent, indicating postnatal infection. None of the foxes had antibodies against N. caninum. Additionally, sera from 242 dogs and 94 foxes were examined for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii using the IFAT. Thirty-five percent foxes and 26% of the dogs were positive; 1.7% of the dogs were positive for both parasites. This is the first report of the prevalence of N. caninum infections in dogs and foxes in Austria.     

Pathomorphological and immunohistological findings in progeny of goats experimentally infected with pestiviruses.

A total of 25 pregnant goats without neutralizing antibodies against BVD virus were inoculated with two different pestivirus isolates at eight different stages of gestation. In both infection groups, various malformations were observed in fetuses and neonates. In three twins with neutralizing antibodies against BVD virus leukoencephalomalacia occurred, characterized by gelatinous transformation in the cerebral hemispheres. These lesions were comparable to alterations described in alternative pathology of Border disease in sheep. Although the immunohistological findings are characteristic for immunological tolerance and viral persistence, viable offspring persistently infected with pestivirus was not observed.     

Identification of hog cholera viral isolates by use of monoclonal antibodies to pestiviruses

A collection of 90 field isolates of hog cholera virus (HCV) was used to test the specificity of four hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies against pestiviruses. Reaction of virus isolates and monoclonal antibodies was controlled by an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Two monoclonal antibodies which had been generated against HC virus strain "Alfort 187" were reactive only with HCV field isolates and an HCV reference strain but not with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) reference strains. Two other monoclonal antibodies (generated against BVDV, strain NADL) reacted only with BVDV reference strains but not with HCV field isolates, although with 3 of these strains focal reactions involving only a few cells were detected. The ability to discriminate between both viruses is a diagnostic need which may be fulfilled by these monoclonal antibodies.     

Prevalence of bovine virus diarrhoea and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis antibodies in Nigerian sheep and goats

Neutralising antibodies to bovine virus diarrhoea virus were commoner in Nigerian sheep than goats while precipitating antibodies offered an alternative but less reliable indicator of previous infection. In contrast, neutralising antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus were more common in goats than sheep. These findings are discussed in relation to infectivity rates in cattle and general husbandry practices.     

Prevalence of Salmonella antibodies among goats slaughtered for chevon in Bareilly (Northern India)

We screened serum samples of 1024 goats slaughtered for chevon in Bareilly in Northern India for Salmonella antibodies with indirect ELISA, MAT-H (microagglutination test using flagellar antigens e, n, x and 1, 5) and MAT-O (microagglutination test using somatic antigens 4, 12 and 3, 10, 15). Salmonella antibodies were detected in 48, 8 and 40%, goats using Salmonella-cytotoxi-I ELISA, MAT 'H' and MAT 'O', respectively. After adjusting for test accuracy, the seroprevalence were highest for Salmonella-cytotoxi-I ELISA (46%) followed by agglutinins against 'O' 3, 10, 15 (15%) and negligible for other agglutinins. With all 5 tests, prevalence of Salmonella antibodies was significantly higher in females than in males. No significant difference was evident in prevalence of Salmonella antibodies to different antigens in different age groups of male goats except for e, n, x agglutinins that were significantly more prevalent in young adult (<6-18 months) males than in adult (>18 months of age) or young (< or =6 months of age) goats. On the other hand, in females, prevalence of Salmonella-cytotoxin-I antibodies and e, n, x agglutinins differed significantly among three age groups, being the most prevalent in adult goats. As expected, the results of different tests had little or no correlation because the different tests targeted antibodies to different antigens.     

Prevalence ofToxoplasma antibodies in sheep and goats in the area of Hissar,Haryana, India

Summary An endeavour was made to assess the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection in sheep and goats in Hissar using the indirect haemagglutination test. The incidence in sheep was 6·6 per cent and in goats 11·5 per cent and was higher in the female than in the male in both species.

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Sumario Se ha intentado evaluar la prevalencia de infecciones a Toxoplasma en ovinos y caprinos en Hissar mediante el uso de la prueba indirecta de hemaglutinacion. La incidencia en ovinos fue de 6.6 por ciento y en caprinos de 11.5 por ciento y era mas alta en las hembras que en los machos en ambas especies.

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Résumé Dans une tentative pour établir la prévalence de l'infection à toxoplasmes chez le mouton et la chèvre dans la région de Hissar, on a utilisé l'épreuve d'hémagglutination indirecte. Chez le mouton, l'incidence a été de 6, 6 p. 100 et de 11, 5 p. 100 chez la shévre, toujours plus élevée chez les femelles que chez les males dans les deux espèces.