Searching Akabane and Pestivirus Infections in Native Breed Sheep with Abortion History

Abstract

Background: Infectious abortions happen mostly by bacteria and viruses. First of all, it is necessary to determine the causative agents in order to prevent abortions. There are different views on the relationship and sensitivity between breed and diseases. Native breed sheep with abortion history, which were caused by microorganisms, were investigated in the paper. Methods: Three hundred and eighty-four blood samples were collected from four different native breed sheep with abortion history. The samples were investigated in terms of some important bacterial, parasitary and viral agents by serological and virological tests. Result: Akabane (AKAV) antibody (Ab) 3.90% seropositivity and pestivirus antigen (Ag) 0.26% positivity was found in aborted sheep. Not only was the highest seropositivity detected in age group of five in terms of AKAV infection but also the highest seropositivity was found in age group of five in terms of pestivirus (Ab) according to age while pestivirus (Ag) presence was detected in only one animal in age group of four. The highest seropositivity in terms of AKAV infection according to races was found in Kivircik sheep as 4.65% while as 56.40% in terms of pestivirus (Ab) and as 0.58% in terms of pestivirus (Ag) in Anatolian Merinos sheep. In terms of both infections, an increase of infections was seen in elder sheep, the highest AKAV seropositivity was found in Kivircik sheep and the highest pestivirus seropositivity was detected in Anatolian Merinos sheep.