Abstract
Aim:This study aimed to conduct a clinical-histopathological and molecular evaluation of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) in Awassi sheep in various regions of Al-Qadisiyah Province, Iraq.Materials and Methods:A total of 150 sheep were clinically evaluated, and the wheelbarrow test was performed. 100 samples (35 blood, 25 lung tissue, 20 lymph node, and 20 lung fluid samples) were randomly selected from living and slaughtered sheep. All samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Histopathological examinations were performed for four lung tissue and two lymph node samples.Results:A diagnosis of OPA was made based on the results of the clinical examination and the clinical signs shown by the animals, such as dyspnea, polypnea, coughing, mucous nasal discharge, moist rales on auscultation of the affected lungs, and emaciation. Interestingly, the animals tested positive for the wheelbarrow test, with frothy nares accompanied by profuse and clear lung fluid. Histopathological examination showed various lesions such as glandular transformation in the lung tissues and emphysema. Moreover, lymph nodes showed marked follicular atrophy and necrosis-associated lymphocyte infiltration in the affected tissues. PCR revealed that 25% of the samples including eight (22.8%) blood, five (20%) lung tissue, five (25%) lymph node, and seven (35%) lung fluid samples were positive for Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus; this result was highly significant.Conclusion:The results of our study indicated that in Iraq, OPA diagnosis should be based on pathological findings and results of advanced procedures such as PCR.
Highlights
Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) is a contagious disease of adult sheep caused by infection with Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV)
The animals tested positive for the wheelbarrow test, with frothy nares accompanied by profuse and clear lung fluid
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed that 25% of the samples including eight (22.8%) blood, five (20%) lung tissue, five (25%) lymph node, and seven (35%) lung fluid samples were positive for Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus; this result was highly significant
Summary
Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) is a contagious disease of adult sheep caused by infection with Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV). The disease clinically manifests as tumor lesions in the lung. It is associated with a high rate of infection and deaths in the affected sheep, resulting in severely compromised health in the affected animals and subsequently massive losses to the economy of the areas with the infection [1,2]. Livestock from only a few countries, i.e., Iceland, the Falkland Islands, New Zealand, and Australia, have not had this disease in recent times. There was an extreme outbreak in Iceland, in 1930, with an infection rate of ~30% in sheep [3]. JSRV is a tumorigenic retrovirus that affects the epithelial cells of the lung; infection with JSRV is characterized by the presence of a high number of cancer masses in the affected lungs [4,5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
