Abstract
BackgroundEthiopian livestock production and productivity is still very low due to widespread of diseases. Among the diseases, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an extremely contagious and acute viral disease that causes significant economic problems in the country. A cross sectional study design was conducted from September 2015 to May 2016 to isolate and characterize FMD virus from outbreak cases; determine the sero-prevalence of antibodies against FMD virus (FMDV), and assess potential risk factors associated with sero-prevalence of the disease in selected areas of central Ethiopia. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select the study animals. Isolated viruses were characterized by antigen ELISA (IZLER, Brescia, Italy) and by genetic analysis of the sequence of the viral protein 1 (VP1). Sero-prevalence was determined using an ELISA for antibodies against non-structural proteins of FMDV based on the 3ABC proteins (ID Screen® FMD NSP Competition, ID-VET, Grabels, France). Risk factors for sero-prevalence of antibodies against FMD virus was investigated using logistic regression analysis.ResultFrom outbreak investigation, 28.8% (n = 378) cattle showed signs and lesions suggestive of FMD and 34 samples were subjected to virus isolation. Twenty eight of these cultures exhibited cytopathic effect (CPE) and were serotyped as O, A and SAT 2 FMD viruses. One A and two SAT 2 isolates named A-ETH-19-2015, SAT 2-ETH-18-2015 and SAT 2-ETH-20-2015 were further characterized by phylogenetic analysis. The overall sero-prevalence of antibodies against non-structural proteins of FMDV was 24.2% (n = 574). Cattle herds with crossbreed cattle, with older cattle (> 2 years), and kept together with small ruminants had higher sero-prevalences of antibodies against FMDV (p < 0.05).ConclusionThis study showed that FMD was present in the study areas. Among the associated risk factors, breed, age and herd composition were significantly associated with presence of antibodies against FMD virus. Three different serotypes (A, O and SAT 2) were responsible for the outbreaks of the disease. Genetic analysis indicated that the isolated viruses clustered differently from previous outbreaks. Thus, further molecular analyses coupled with protection potential of the existing vaccines against the isolates should be performed.
Highlights
Ethiopian livestock production and productivity is still very low due to widespread of diseases
This study showed that foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was present in the study areas
Among the associated risk factors, breed, age and herd composition were significantly associated with presence of antibodies against FMD virus
Summary
Ethiopian livestock production and productivity is still very low due to widespread of diseases. A cross sectional study design was conducted from September 2015 to May 2016 to isolate and characterize FMD virus from outbreak cases; determine the sero-prevalence of antibodies against FMD virus (FMDV), and assess potential risk factors associated with sero-prevalence of the disease in selected areas of central Ethiopia. The country is believed to have the largest livestock population in Africa comprising approximately 56.7 million cattle, 29.3 million sheep and 29.1 million goats [1]. Animal diseases are currently widespread in all agroecological zones of the country and annual mortality rates due to diseases is estimated at 8–10% for cattle herds, and 15% and 12% for sheep and goat flocks, respectively. It is estimated that animal diseases reduce the Sulayeman et al BMC Veterinary Research (2018) 14:110 production and productivity of livestock by 50 to 60% per year [3]. Among the livestock diseases hampering productivity of the sector, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is considered as a bottleneck for livestock production and productivity, and is prompting trade embargos for livestock and livestock products [4]
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