BACKGROUND: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an acute and highly contagious viral disease of small ruminants that is characterized by high fever, ocular and nasal discharge, pneumonia, necrosis, ulceration of the mucous membranes and inflammation of the gastro-intestinal tract leading to severe diarrhea. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus infection in sheep and cattle in Ahvaz. METHODS: Blood samples were taken from 100 cattle and 100 sheep that were kept together from different parts of Ahvaz. Blood samples were also taken from 16 vaccinated sheep   against PPR for positive control. The sera were separated by centrifuge at 3000 ×g for 10 minutes and 3 mL of serum was harvested and stored at -20 °C until determination of antibody against PPR using VN method. RESULTS: The peste des petits ruminants (PPR) antibody seroprevalence was 23% in cattle and 58% in sheep and all the sheep samples collected for control were positive for PPR antibody. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates serological evidence for the natural transmission of PPRV from sheep to cattle under natural conditions and provides baseline information on prevalence of PPRV antibodies in cattle and sheep population in Ahvaz.

BACKGROUND: Peste des petitis (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease with high incidence and mortality rate, which is endemic in the Middle East, Southwest Asia, and Africa. This disease has been causing economic losses in sheep and goat flocks in these areas. Studies have shown that environmental and host risk factors can influence the severity of PPR infection. OBJECTIVES: We conducted the present study to investigate the prevalence of PPR in small ruminants population of Garmsar city and its suburbs. Furthermore, the effect of host factors, including animal species, gender, and age, and environmental factors, such as sampling season, geographical area, and sampling location, were evaluated. METHODS: Blood samples of 180 sheep and goats were taken in spring, summer, and autumn and after centrifugation, serum samples were isolated. We measured antibody response using competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (C-ELISA). RESULTS: The apparent and true prevalence of contamination in small ruminants of Garmsar and its suburbs ware 24.44 % and 23.91 %, respectively. The results revealed non significant relationships between animal species (p < /em>= 0.08), gender (p < /em>= 0.14), and age (p < /em>= 0.98) with PPR serum prevalence. Meanwhile, there was a significant relationship between season (p < /em>= 0.03), geographical area (p < /em>= 0.0004), and sampling location (p < /em>= 0.0001). In addition, the odds ratio of PPRV infection in autumn was 2.62 (95% CI: 0.06 – 6.02; p < /em>< 0.05) times more than that of other season and in the south-eastern of Garmsar, it was 6.71 (95% CI: 3.01-17.60; p < /em>< 0.05) times more than that of other geographical regions. The odds ratio of PPRV infection in the Mahmood Abad village was 63.63 (95 % CI: 12.14 – 132.93; p < /em>< 0.05) times higher than that of other villages. CONCLUSIONS: According to the obtained findings, PPR was proven to be an endemic disease in Garmsar and its suburbs and the environmental risk factors have a greater impact on the seroprevalence of disease than host risk factors. Therefore, in order to control the disease in endemic areas, further attention should be paid to environmental risk factors and minimizing the risk of epidemics through vaccination at sensitive timescales and areas before high-risk environment changes.

Objective: Animal trade has an important role in the economy but in contrast, it causes the spread of infectious diseases overall the world, in particular, the trans-boundary animal diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study is to report the prevalence rate of some transboundary infectious diseases to assess the effectiveness of quarantine measure in the detection of exotic disease and clarify the role of live animal trade in infectious transboundary diseases spread. Materials and Methods: The study was done on 176 serum samples obtained from cattle imported from Sudan in order to determine the prevalence of foot and mouth disease (FMD), Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR), and Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR). Three serological tests were used; Serum neutralization test for FMD, Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA) for PPR, and Competitive ELISA for IBR. Results: The seroprevalence of FMD in tested sera was; 77.27% in the serotype A (A-Iran), 68.18% in the serotype A (A-Africa), 93.82% in the serotype O (O-Pan Asia), and 35.227% in the serotype South African Territories-2 (SAT-2) SAT-2. While the overall seroprevalence of PPR was 49.431% and the IBR was 93.75%. Conclusion: The result indicates the serious role of live animal trade as hubs for infectious diseases spread. Subsequently, the common control measures must be taken to avoid the spread of the diseases through the animal trade; which include screening, surveillance, precautions at borders, and vaccination. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(1.000): 92-99]

Objective: The research work was aimed at assessing the prevalence and risk factors of Peste-des-petits-ruminants (PPR) in goats in some selected areas of Bangladesh along with a comparison of different hemato-biochemical parameters of PPR infected goats.Materials and methods: A presumptive diagnosis of PPR was done based on clinical signs and symptoms. A structured record keeping sheet was used for the estimation of prevalence and risk factors of PPR in goat. A total of 103 blood samples were collected randomly and analyzed for hematobiochemical parameters using automated hemo-analyzer. Results: Out of 103 cases, Black Bengal (59%) and young goats aging minimum-12 months (43.85%) were recognized as highly susceptible to PPR disease. Strong association was found among all the three factors such as age, breed and sex (RR>1). All the values of hematological parameters such as TEC, TLC, Hb, PCV, and DLC were decreased in PPR affected goat as compared to healthy goats except lymphocyte counts, which was increased significantly (P=0.00). The amount of total protein (3.15 gm/L) and albumin (16.88 gm/L) were reduced drastically in PPR affected goats. Conclusion: The lymphocyte content in blood was significantly increased where as the total protein and albumin percent were decreased in the goats affected with PPR. Moreover, this variation in blood profile due to PPR virus infected in goat might be a good indicator in this disease diagnosis. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(2.000): 211-217]

Objective: The study was undertaken with an objective to determine the seroprevalence of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in goats of different age groups.Materials and methods: A total of 606 goats (414 vaccinated and 192 unvaccinated) were randomly selected from Rajshahi, Sirajganj and Gazipur districts. The goats were categorized into different age gropus; (i) 0-6 months, (ii) 12-24 months, and (iii) >24 months. Blood samples were collected from the goats and sera were prepared. The sera were examined for the presence of antibodies against PPR virus (PPRV) by competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). Results: In the unvaccinated goats, overall seroprevalence was 8.70% (n=36/414). The highest seroprevalence was recorded in Rajshahi (28.57%; n=18/63) which was followed by Gazipur (16%; n=12/75) and Sirajganj (2.17%; n=6/276). The age-based overall seroprevalence in the unvaccinated samples from 0-6 months age group was 9.43% (n=15/159). Similarly, 12-24 and >24 months age groups of goats revealed the presence of 6% (n=9/150) and 11.43% (n=12/105) seroprevalence against PPRV. Of the vaccinated samples, overall 76.04% (n=146/192) were seropositive against PPRV. Within the age group of 0-6 months, vaccinated samples had the highest seroprevalence (80.25%; n=65/81) as compared to 12-24 (70.83%; n=34/48) and >24 months (74.60%; n=47/63) age groups of goats, respectively.Conclusion: The seroprevalence in the unvaccinated samples indicates that PPRV is circulating in Bangladesh which is inducing to produce natural antibody in goats. This study also states that the field level vaccination against PPRV could give protection to the goats. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(2.000): 127-133]

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, geographical distribution, and main risk factors for peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in the Republic of Chad.Materials and methods: A total of 3,546 sera collected from unvaccinated small ruminants including 1,699 goats and 1,847 sheep in 19 of the 23 regions in Chad were randomly sampled. The competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technics were used for serological analysis.Results: The overall seroprevalence at the individual level was 52.9%±1.6% (48.9% for goats and 56.2% for sheep). Seroprevalence observed in the Chari Baguirmi, Ouaddaï, and NDjamena regions was significantly higher than those in the other regions. Transhumant herds are the most exposed than the sedentary ones. Older animals were more affected than the young ones. Kababich sheep are the most affected than other breeds.Conclusion: This study has shown that the PPR virus is circulating in the Republic of Chad. In view of the results obtained, the disease is enzootic in the country. Epidemiological information obtained including seroprevalence rate, risk factors (sex, breed, age, and mode of rearing), and geographical distribution will help to define an appropriate strategy for PPR control in the Republic of Chad. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(4.000): 420-425]

The seroprevalence and risk factors of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) were determined in unvaccinated sheep and goats in Sudan. A total of 480 sera samples were collected from the sheep (n=261) and goats (n=219) of Sennar, Gedarif, River Nile, and North Kordofan states during May, June, and October 2012 and February 2013, respectively. The sera were tested for the presence of antibodies against PPR using competitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. The overall seroprevalence of PPR was recorded as 45.6% (n=219/480); whereas, 57.2% in Sennar, 46.2% in Gedarif, 34.9% in River Nile and 39.8% in North Kordofan. A total of 14 risk factors were investigated using structured questionnaire, of which 9 were found to be associated with PPR seroprevalence (p≤0.05). Among the localities, Abozabad located in North Kordofan had the highest prevalence (91.7%) of PPR followed by Barbar in River Nile. PPR seroprevalence was higher in pastoralists, animals housed in scarp fences, females, and Kwahla sheep. In addition, PPR was higher in the states that had high rainfall and wind-speed. The associated 9 factors were further analyzed multivariably by logistic regression, and finally 5 of them (states, localities, husbandry system, gender, and age) were found to be associated with PPR seroprevalence (p≤0.05).

Clinical signs suggestive of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) involved herds of small ruminants, which were described elsewhere in Sudan. Peste des petits ruminants was confirmed using an Immunocapture ELISA (IC-ELISA) assay in samples of infected and dead animals in areas of outbreaks. Therefore, to update information regarding the current situation and for assessment of the serological prevalence of PPR in small ruminants mingled at Central and Western Sudan during 2018-2019, 368 sera were collected from sheep (325 sera) and goats (43 sera) with different ages and breeds. These sera included 186 sera (173 sheep and 13 goats) from White Nile State and 182 sera (152 sheep and 30 goats) from Kordofan States. Competitive ELISA demonstrated higher prevalence of PPRV antibodies of 88.9%, 90.7% and 88.6% in both sheep and goats, goats, and sheep sera, respectively. Moreover, 100%, 94.7% and 78.5% seroprevalence values were demonstrated in South Kordofan, North Kordofan and White Nile States. The higher seroprevalence values detected in sera of unvaccinated sheep and goats indicated the wide exposure of these animals to PPRV and presence of protection following PPR viral infection. The findings of the study indicated that PPR is endemic in the surveyed areas of Sudan. CONTRIBUTION: The study will contribute effectively to the global eradication programme of PPR organised by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OIE) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). To completely eliminate PPR from Sudan by 2030, local efforts should be directed towards effectively and wholly vaccinating small ruminants using PPRV vaccine especially in routes of seasonal animal's movement and shared grazing areas.