Abstract
Aim:The study was conducted in Basrah, Iraq, to diagnose congenital arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly syndrome caused by Akabane virus (AKAV) in calves.Materials and Methods:Affected animals (42 calves) are about 2-27 days old from both sexes show signs of arthrogryposis and hydranencephaly. Eight clinically healthy newborn calves were considered as controls. Diagnosis of AKAV was confirmed using a competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test.Results:Results show that all affected calves were found seropositive. Furthermore, a significant increase in total leukocyte count in diseased calves due to a significant increase in the absolute lymphocyte number indicated in affected calves than in controls. Moreover, a significant increase in sedimentation rate of erythrocytes was also encountered in diseased calves than in controls. In addition, a significant increase in haptoglobin level and fibrinogen was also detected.Conclusion:Diagnosis of AKAV infection of Basrah Governorate, Iraq, will provide useful epidemiological information for cattle and other domesticated animals. Therefore, abortion could be prevented and controlled.
Highlights
A significant increase in total leukocyte count in diseased calves due to a significant increase in the absolute lymphocyte number indicated in affected calves than in controls
A significant increase in sedimentation rate of erythrocytes was encountered in diseased calves than in controls
Akabane congenital arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly syndrome was an infectious disease of the bovine, ovine and caprine, and fetuses caused by intrauterine infection and interfere with fetal development after transmission to the pregnant dam by biting gnats or mosquito transmitted Akabane virus (AKAV) and some other antigenically related members of the Simbu group of arboviruses of the family Bunyaviridae [1,2]
Summary
Akabane congenital arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly syndrome was an infectious disease of the bovine, ovine and caprine, and fetuses caused by intrauterine infection and interfere with fetal development after transmission to the pregnant dam by biting gnats or mosquito transmitted Akabane virus (AKAV) and some other antigenically related members of the Simbu group of arboviruses of the family Bunyaviridae [1,2]. The disease considered as the major cause of epizootics of congenital malformations in ruminants. Since the fetal infection may cause abortions, stillbirths, premature births, mummified fetuses, and various dysfunctions or deformities of fetuses or live born neonates [3,4]. The virus is well known as a teratogenic type of pathogen and has the ability to cross through ruminant placenta during different stages of pregnancy period [2]. The stage of pregnancy in which the cow is infected determines
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