Serological and Epidemiological Investigation of Bluetongue, Maedi-Visna and Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis Viruses in Small Ruminant in Kirikkale District in Turkey

Abstract

Viral infections cause important problems and significant economic loses in sheep and goats that can be protected by an investigation of infections. This study aimed to determine the sheep and goat viral infections including bluetongue virus (BTV), maedivisna virus (MVV) and caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) in Kirikkale city located in Central Anatolia region of Turkey. Blood samples collected from 279 sheep and 146 goats were tested by ELISA, RT-nested PCR and nested PCR. It was detected that antibody response to BTV (49.8%), CAEV (7.5%) and MVV (19.4%) were seropositivity values in all serum samples. BTV (2.87%) and MVV (9.25%) antigens were detected in seropositive whole blood samples via RT-nested PCR and nested PCR but not CAEV. It was found that double positive animals (14.6%) for MVV and BTV in sheep but not goat. As a conclusion sheep and goat were infected with naturally BTV, CAEV and MVV in Kirikkale region. This study showed that this the first report for BTV, MVV and CAEV infections from Kirikkale region. Therefore infections are needed to be further investigations to determine detailed survey studies.