Peste Des Petits Ruminants Virus Infection of Small Ruminants in Al-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a contagious, economic viral disease of small ruminants. In Egypt, PPR disease is highly widespread in the last years with high morbidity and mortality. An outbreak was recorded in Al-Sharkia governorate, Egypt on a flock of small ruminants consisted of (34 goats and 11 sheep) with clinical signs suggested to be PPR virus (PPRV) infection following introduction of new animals. The clinical investigation of infected animals revealed high fever, erosions on lips and oral mucosa, ocular and nasal discharges, severe conjunctivitis, and severe offensive diarrhea that was bloody in some cases. Morbidity, mortality and case fatality rates of infected flock were 88.2, 23.5 and 26.7%, respectively. On necropsy, erosions and ulceration were noted in buccal cavity, lungs were congested and consolidated, and lymph nodes of lungs and intestine were edematous. In addition, there was congestion and enlargement of spleen and liver with distended gall bladder. Intestines were hemorrhagic with zebra stripping, the pathognomonic histopathological lesions of PPR, were found in ceco-colic junction. Detection of PPRV N gene by One-Step conventional reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) assay using NP3 and NP4 primers was applied. Out of 24 samples collected from diseased animals and dead carcass, RT-PCR confirmed PPRV infection in 13 samples (five oculonasal swabs, three buffy coats, two mesenteric LNs, two lungs, one spleen). Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis was carried out on the PCR product of NP gene revealed that, the circulating virus is closely related to circulating PPRV strains throughout Egypt and African countries. The authors planned further understanding the PPRV molecular epidemiology to develop strategies to eradicate the disease with a proper vaccine.