PREVALENCE OF SMALL RUMINANT LENTIVIRUS INFECTIONS IN SHEEP AND GOATS IN SOME REGIONS OF VOJVODINA PROVINCE

Small Ruminant Lentivirus causes a chronic lifelong, multisystemic diseases in sheep and goats with or without clinical manifestation. Maedi-visna virus (MVV) and Caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) are often considered together as small ruminants lentivirus (SRLV) due to their phylogenetic correlation and the interspecies transmission between sheep and goats. During the period of four years, from 2015-2018, an annual monitoring was done on male animals (rams and bucks) used for breeding, for determination of antibodies against SRLV with ELISA serological method. In total, serum samples from 6732 animals were analyzed. During the study period, seroprevalence for small ruminant lentivirus has rised from 4,17% to 16,21%, with an overall value of 12% for the whole period. Over the years seroprevalence has been changing with increasing tendency. The highest seroprevalence in rams was in 2018, when the largest number of samples was examined. In bucks, the highest number of positive samples was found in 2015. From 2014 until 2018, the overall seroprevalence in rams and bucks has increased significantly. From the study results it can be seen that annual monitoring program is very important and has to be held in the future in order to have the disease under control. The program helps in rising the awareness and knowledge of the owners about SRLV and the importance of breeding seronegative animals.

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Review of Peste des Petits Ruminants Occurrence and Spread in Tanzania

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061698 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1698

Author(s):

Daniel Pius Mdetele ◽

Erick Komba ◽

Misago Dimson Seth ◽

Gerald Misinzo ◽

Richard Kock ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Economic Impact ◽

Disease Surveillance ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Peste Des Petits Ruminants ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Eradication Programme ◽

Sheep And Goats ◽

Ruminant Species ◽

Socio Economic Impact

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an important transboundary animal disease of domestic small ruminants, camels, and wild artiodactyls. The disease has significant socio-economic impact on communities that depend on livestock for their livelihood and is a threat to endangered susceptible wild species. The aim of this review was to describe the introduction of PPR to Tanzania and its subsequent spread to different parts of the country. On-line databases were searched for peer-reviewed and grey literature, formal and informal reports were obtained from Tanzanian Zonal Veterinary Investigation Centres and Laboratories, and Veterinary Officers involved with PPR surveillance were contacted. PPR virus (PPRV) was confirmed in northern Tanzania in 2008, although serological data from samples collected in the region in 1998 and 2004, and evidence that the virus was already circulating in Uganda in 2003, suggests that PPRV might have been present earlier than this. It is likely that the virus which became established in Tanzania was introduced from Kenya between 2006–7 through the cross-border movement of small ruminants for trade or grazing resources, and then spread to eastern, central, and southern Tanzania from 2008 to 2010 through movement of small ruminants by pastoralists and traders. There was no evidence of PPRV sero-conversion in wildlife based on sera collected up to 2012, suggesting that they did not play a vectoring or bridging role in the establishment of PPRV in Tanzania. PPRV lineages II, III and IV have been detected, indicating that there have been several virus introductions. PPRV is now considered to be endemic in sheep and goats in Tanzania, but there has been no evidence of PPR clinical disease in wildlife species in Tanzania, although serum samples collected in 2014 from several wild ruminant species were PPRV sero-positive. Similarly, no PPR disease has been observed in cattle and camels. In these atypical hosts, serological evidence indicates exposure to PPRV infection, most likely through spillover from infected sheep and goats. Some of the challenges for PPRV eradication in Tanzania include movements of small ruminants, including transboundary movements, and the capacity of veterinary services for disease surveillance and vaccination. Using wildlife and atypical domestic hosts for PPR surveillance is a useful indicator of endemism and the ongoing circulation of PPRV in livestock, especially during the implementation of vaccination to control or eliminate the disease in sheep and goats. PPR disease has a major socio-economic impact in Tanzania, which justifies the investment in a comprehensive PPRV eradication programme.

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Reproductive performance of sheep and goats under native husbandry

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s002185960008117x ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 109 (1) ◽

pp. 201-203

Author(s):

K. A. N. Esievo ◽

L. O. Eduvie ◽

O. O. A. Fasanya

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Small Ruminant ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Seasonal Effects ◽

Intensive Management ◽

Extension Services ◽

Sheep And Goats ◽

Rural Producers ◽

Research Centres

Although over 90% of small ruminant production in Nigeria is done under native husbandry or semiintensive management, relatively little information on their reproductive performance is available. However, information on the reproductive performance of Nigerian small ruminants under intensive management conducted at Research Centres or Institutes is readily available (Adu, Buvanendran & Lakpini, 1979; Adu, Brinckman & Kuteyi, 1979; Molokwu & Umunna, 1980; Osinowo & Ekpe, 1985). Such reproductive information includes age at first lambing or kidding, birth weight, lambing or kidding intervals, seasonal effects and conception rates. Although the latter findings are meant for dissemination through Extension Services to rural producers for application, records of the effects of such application are scanty.

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Economic benefits of livestock management in Ghana

Agricultural and Food Economics ◽

10.1186/s40100-021-00191-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Faizal Adams ◽

Kwasi Ohene-Yankyera ◽

Robert Aidoo ◽

Camillus Abawiera Wongnaa

Keyword(s):

Social Relations ◽

Small Ruminant ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Northern Ghana ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sheep And Goats ◽

Traditional System ◽

Market Values

AbstractThe traditional system of producing small ruminants (sheep and goats) contributes significantly to the socioeconomic wellbeing of farm households in northern Ghana. Besides serving as an important source of income, sheep and goats also offer important non-pecuniary benefits such as the provision of manure, savings, insurance, farm portfolio diversification, and strong social relations. However, technical evaluation of traditional small ruminant systems places much emphasis on financial gains to farmers and abstracts on the non-conventional utilities derived from the livestock system. The main purpose of this study, therefore, is to estimate the overall economic benefits associated with traditional small ruminant systems by accounting for both market and non-market values in two agro-ecological zones (Guinea and Sudan savannah) of northern Ghana. Using a multistage sampling technique, we collected cross-sectional data from 249 small ruminant farmers for empirical analysis. The results show that at least 60% of the net benefits from sheep and goat production in northern Ghana are in non-marketable (non-cash) forms. The study demonstrates that the traditional free-range system of managing sheep and goats is economically viable when the non-market value derived from the system is incorporated in the economic analysis. The findings have practical implications in improving the traditional small ruminant system for higher meat productivity and income generation in northern Ghana and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

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Seroprevalence and risk factors for brucellosis in small ruminant flocks in Karnataka in the Southern Province of India

Veterinary World ◽

10.14202/vetworld.2021.2855-2862 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 2855-2862

Author(s):

Krithiga Natesan ◽

Triveni Kalleshamurthy ◽

Mangadevi Nookala ◽

Chaitra Yadav ◽

Nagalingam Mohandoss ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Small Ruminant ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Farm Level ◽

History Of

Background and Aim: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of high economic and public health importance in large and small ruminant populations worldwide. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of brucellosis in small ruminants in organized farms in the southern region of India. Materials and Methods: Farms exclusively rearing sheep and goats were selected based on the number of animals (small, medium, or large) and the location of the farm (urban, periurban, or rural). A total of 1499 serum samples; 1001 from sheeps and 498 from goats were sourced from six sheep and four goat farms and tested using Rose Bengal Plate and indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay tests. Results: The apparent prevalence of brucellosis was higher in sheep (8.29%, 95% CI 6.7-10.1) than goats (5.82%, 95% CI 4.0-8.2). The true adjusted population level seroprevalence was also higher in sheep, at 7.7% (95% CI 6.0-9.6) than in goats, at 5.1% (95% CI 3.2-7.6). According to bivariate categorical analysis, six highly significant (p<0.001) animal- and farm-level risk factors for sheep were age, breed, number of lambings, history of abortion, rural farms, and presence of dogs on the farm. In goats, five significant risk factors were found: History of abortion, separate sheds, dogs on the farm, weekly veterinary consultation, and lack of brucellosis awareness. In a logistic regression model, abortion (OR adjusted 10.8, 95% CI 1.2-96.12), rural farms (OR adjusted 8.5, 95% CI 3.6-20.0), and absence of separate sheds on the farms (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1- 3.5) were found to be significant risk factors for ovine brucellosis. Conclusion: The use of complementary measures to tackle the multiple animal- and farm-level risk factors may help to reduce the disease burden in the absence of a vaccination policy for small ruminants in India.

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Direct Evidence for Natural Transmission of Small-Ruminant Lentiviruses of Subtype A4 from Goats to Sheep and Vice Versa

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.78.14.7518-7522.2004 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 78 (14) ◽

pp. 7518-7522 ◽

Cited By ~ 75

Author(s):

Cyril Shah ◽

Jon B. Huder ◽

Jürg Böni ◽

Marietta Schönmann ◽

Janine Mühlherr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Direct Evidence ◽

Small Ruminant ◽

Interspecies Transmission ◽

Virus Eradication ◽

Mixed Cluster ◽

The Past ◽

Visna Virus ◽

Prolonged Contact ◽

Small Ruminant Lentiviruses ◽

First Time

ABSTRACT Small-ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV), which include the caprine arthritis-encephalitis and the maedi-visna virus, cause persistent inflammatory infections in goats and sheep. SRLV are mainly transmitted from mother to offspring through milk. Transmission after prolonged contact between adult animals has also been observed. The observation that certain SRLV subtypes are found in both goats and sheep suggests that interspecies transmission has occurred on several occasions in the past. We investigated seropositive goats and sheep that were kept together in small mixed herds. Phylogenetic analysis of long proviral sequences in gag and pol, combined with epidemiologic information, demonstrated natural sheep-to-goat transmission of the recently identified SRLV subtype A4 in two instances and goat-to-sheep transmission of the same subtype in one instance. In a further mixed cluster, the direction of the interspecies transmission could not be determined. These findings present for the first time direct evidence that natural interspecies transmission of SRLV is ongoing in both directions. The findings are of relevance to virus eradication programs in both species.

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Serological and Molecular Investigation of Coxiella burnetii in Small Ruminants and Ticks in Punjab, Pakistan

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16214271 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (21) ◽

pp. 4271 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Qudrat Ullah ◽

Hosny El-Adawy ◽

Tariq Jamil ◽

Huma Jamil ◽

Zafar Iqbal Qureshi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coxiella Burnetii ◽

Indirect Elisa ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Reproductive Disorders ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Sheep And Goats ◽

Obligate Intracellular ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

Insight Into

Coxiellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii affecting the productive and reproductive capabilities of animals. This study was conducted to gain insight into the seroprevalence of coxiellosis in small ruminants in seven farms of the Punjab, Pakistan. Potential risk factors were assessed. In total, 1000 serum samples (500 from sheep and 500 from goats) and 163 ticks were collected from the ruminants. All these 163 ticks were merged into 55 pools (29 pools for ticks from sheep and 26 pools for ticks from goat). Serum samples were investigated using an indirect ELISA and PCR. Coxiella burnetii DNA was detected in 29 pooled seropositive samples and 11 pooled ticks by real-time qPCR. Serological analysis revealed a prevalence of 15.6% and 15.0% in sheep and goats, respectively. A significant association was found between seropositivity and different variables like district, lactational status, reproductive status, body condition and reproductive disorders. Univariate analysis showed that detection of C. burnetii DNA in tick pools was significantly associated with the presence of ticks on sheep and goats. However, a non-significant association was found for the prevalence of C. burnetii DNA in serum pools. Hence, C. burnetii infection is prevalent in small ruminants and ticks maintained at livestock farms in Punjab, Pakistan.

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Sero-epidemiology and associated risk factors of brucellosis among sheep and goat population in the mid southern Nepal: A comparative study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-39025/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Tulsi Ram Gompo ◽

Rubina Shah ◽

Ishwari Tiwari ◽

Yam Bahadur Gurung

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sheep Population ◽

Sheep And Goats ◽

Goat Population ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Abstract Background Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of animals and humans caused by the Brucella spps. In Nepal, the presence of brucellosis in small ruminants, e.g., sheep and goats, has impacted the farmers' livelihood and people's food safety. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Rupandehi districts of Nepal to the discover the seroepidemiology and associated risk factors of brucellosis in sheep and goat population. Altogether, 19 sheep and 60 goat farms located in the districts' local units were visited, and the owners were interviewed to get the information on animal characteristics, management, and movement patterns. Three hundred fifty-seven serum samples (80 sheep and 277 goat’s samples) were collected from selected herd based on the probability proportional to their sizes. Each serum sample was tested for Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and ELISA to estimate the seropositivity. Bivariate analysis followed by multivariable logistic regression was applied to calculate corresponding odds ratios of each variable associated with the brucellosis. Results Out of 80 sheep samples, 12 (15%; 95%CI: 8.79%-24.41%, P<0.001) and out of 277 goat samples 3 (1.1%; 0.37%-3.14%, P<0.001) were tested positive to brucellosis. Age of greater than 1.5 years (OR= 6.39, 95%CI: 1.23, 54.67, p= 0.04) was identified as the significant risk factor for brucellosis in sheep population. While in the goat population, none of the variables were identified as the significant risk factors in multivariable regression analysis. However, the goat from the frequent grazing herds had borderline significance (OR = 8.81, 95%CI: 0.44, 174.56, p<0.15). It might be because of the regular movement of sheep herds that get mixed up with the goat populations. Conclusion The study provides evidence that the burden of brucellosis in sheep is significantly higher than goats. The brucellosis control program in sheep should be applied immediately, as the contiguous herds of sheep and goats keep mixing while grazing and selling. Also, the strict biosecurity and biosafety measures should be implemented among the sheepherders to prevent infection of Brucella in them. We suggest further study on both small ruminants and the sheep owners to reveal the transmission dynamics through one health approach.

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Serosurvey of peste des petits ruminants virus in small ruminants from different agro-ecological zones of Nigeria

Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research ◽

10.4102/ojvr.v83i1.1035 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 83 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Timothy Y. Woma ◽

Pius S. Ekong ◽

Dauda G. Bwala ◽

John O. Ibu ◽

Louisa Ta’ama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Small Ruminant ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Viral Disease ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Peste Des Petits Ruminants ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Live Animal ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Cross River State ◽

Agro Ecological Zones

Peste des petits ruminants, caused by the peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV), is a highly contagious and economically important transboundary viral disease of domestic and wild small ruminants and a major hindrance to small-ruminant production in Nigeria. The seroprevalence and distribution of PPRV antibodies in small ruminants in rural households, farms, live animal markets and slaughter slabs across the six different agro-ecological zones of Nigeria were determined. A total of 4548 serum samples from 3489 goats and 1059 sheep were collected in 12 states. A PPRV competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to test the samples and the data analysed with R statistical software version 3.0.1. The study animals included all ages and both sexes. The overall prevalence estimate of sera positive for PPRV antibodies was 23.16% (n = 1018 positive samples per 4548 total samples, 95% confidence interval: 21.79% – 24.57%). There were significant differences in the seroprevalence between the states (p = 0.001). Taraba State had the highest seroprevalence of 29.51%, whilst the lowest seroprevalence of 14.52% was observed in Cross River State. There were no significant differences in the PPRV seroprevalence between male and female animals (p = 0.571), age (p = 0.323) and between species (p = 0.639). These data indicate the current seroprevalence to PPRV in the small-ruminant population in Nigeria.

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Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Anaplasma spp. in German Small Ruminant Flocks

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11102793 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 2793

Author(s):

Wiebke Rubel ◽

Clara Schoneberg ◽

Annika Wolf ◽

Martin Ganter ◽

Benjamin Ulrich Bauer

Keyword(s):

Small Ruminant ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Landscape Conservation ◽

Lower Saxony ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Federal States ◽

German Federal States ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Antibody Levels ◽

The Impact

Knowledge about the distribution of Anaplasma spp. in small ruminants from Germany is limited. Therefore, serum samples were examined from 71 small ruminant flocks (2731 sheep, 447 goats) located in the five German federal states: Schleswig-Holstein (SH), Lower Saxony (LS), North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Baden-Wuerttemberg (BW) and Bavaria (BAV). Antibodies to Anaplasma spp. were determined by a cELISA based on the MSP5 antigen. A risk factor analysis at animal and flock level was also performed. Antibodies to Anaplasma spp. were detected in 70/71 flocks without significant difference in the intra-flock prevalence (IFP) between the federal states. The mean antibody levels from sheep were significantly lower in northern Germany (LS, SH) compared to west (NRW) and south Germany (BW, BAV). Sheep had a 2.5-fold higher risk of being seropositive than goats. Females and older animals (>2 years) were more likely to have antibodies to Anaplasma spp. in one third and one quarter of cases, respectively. Flocks used for landscape conservation had a five times higher risk of acquiring an IFP greater than 20%. Cats and dogs on the farms increased the probability for small ruminant flocks to have an IFP of above 20% 10-fold and 166-fold, respectively. Further studies are necessary to assess the impact of Anaplasma species on the health of small ruminants in Germany.

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Questionnaire Survey on Ectoparasites Challenges and Impact of Ectoparasites Control Campaign Conducted in Welkait, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International ◽

10.9734/jaeri/2019/v19i430090 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Leul Berhe ◽

Berihun Afera ◽

Etsay Kebede ◽

Habtom Kiros Bitsue

Keyword(s):

Service Delivery ◽

Small Ruminant ◽

Animal Movement ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Survey Study ◽

Free Charge ◽

Veterinary Service ◽

Sheep And Goats ◽

Tigray Region ◽

Control Campaign

A cross-sectional survey study was conducted from November 2015 to May 2016 in Welkait district Western part of Tigray Region. A total of 120 small ruminant owners were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire. The survey was focus on husbandry system, awareness status of animal owners on ectoparasites and their effect, treatment approaches and an assessment on the implementation and impact of ectoparasites control intervention practiced in the study district. The current assessment showed that the production system practiced in the study area is mixed production with (31.67%) owners managed their sheep and goats independently in their own house whereas (62.5%) had been kept their sheep and goats together with other domestic animal including dog and cat. With regard to the knowledge of ectoparasites species, (100%) of the respondents clearly indicate that they knew one or more ectoparasites that affect sheep and goats. During the survey, the veterinary service delivery and the free charge governmental ectoparasites control campaign conducted was assessed. According to the response of (89.61%) respondents reported that modern veterinary service delivery had in their nearby but; the rest did not have any service. Out of 120 interviewed, (98.33%) respondents knew the free charge governmental ectoparates control program conducted from 2012 to 2015. From the total 120 intertwined individual, (94.17%) small ruminant owners sprayed/dipped their sheep and goats one or more times at different interval using acaricides (diazinone 60%). From (94.17%) respondents which had sprayed/dipped their sheep and goats, (88.49%) were used knapsack spraying option whereas (4.42%) disinfected by dipping. During the survey the interval of treatment applied was assessed. According the response (70.00%) interviewed individuals, they were treated their sheep and goats at two week interval whereas (25.00%) and (5.00%) of the respondent provided and treated their small ruminants at three and four week interval respectively. As indicated by (96.5%) respondents, there was re-infestation of ectoparasites after the control campaign. Based on these findings, designing and implementing proper annual chemical control, develop clear animal movement policy and strict quarantine, creating awareness and better management practice should be implemented.

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