Prevalence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Sheep at Babylon Governorate, Iraq

Abstract

The current study aimed to determine the occurrence of the ovine respiratory syncytial virus (ORSV) infection in sheep employing sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (sandwich-ELISA) and look into some disease risk factors. We collected blood samples (n=460) from sheep of various ages and sexes in Babylon Governorate/Iraq. The epidemiological data obtained during the interview with the owners of the animals. The prevalence of ORSV infection at Babylon Governorate was 58.91% based on sandwich-ELISA. The risk factors related to ORSV infection included: sheep with 7months-2years old, imported animals, outdoor feeding, large herd size, in northern parts of the Governorate and winter and spring seasons. There was a significant elevation in RBC, Hb, PCV and a significant reduction in WBC and lymphocytes. There was a significant elevation in AST, CK, LDH, TP, globulin, and total bilirubin. At the same time, there was a significant reduction in albumin, creatinine, and glucose in the infected animals with ORSV. In conclusion, ORSV is prevalent in sheep at Babylon Governorate, with a higher prevalence of the disease in the northern parts of the Governorate. The present report is the first for detecting ORSV antigens in sheep at Babylon Governorate/Iraq.