Goat Flocks Research Articles

Detection of contagious ovine ecthyma (orf) and risk factors for infection in small ruminants in Iran

The primary cause of contagious ecthyma is the orf virus, the parapoxvirus prototype. It is a viral problem observed in goat and sheep flocks in Iran, causing economic loss. Orf is a zoonosis with little epidemiological investigation present in Iran. The current research aims at determining the status of this virus, and a PCR was used as a confirmatory instrument. We sampled 668 goats and sheep and various breeding systems. Besides, the orf prevalence was studied, and vaccination efficacy was determined. Moreover, the potential risk factors surveyed for infection with ecthyma were identified. Samples were taken from goat and sheep flocks in the present cross-sectional research, and PCR was used for testing orf DNA. A checklist including animals’ general information was completed. Data were analyzed using univariate tests (chi-square and t-tests) and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. Three hundred one (45%) goats and sheep detected orf DNA. The age of 70% of positive cases was below one month. Ecthyma infection was significantly higher in imported breeds (87.3%) than indigenous (39.3%). Ninety-six percent of infected goats and sheep in the present work were not vaccinated against ecthyma. The high prevalence of the orf virus was confirmed among goat and sheep flocks in Iran. It is necessary to train ranchers regarding sanitary actions, quarantine, and application of orf vaccination plans.

Toxoplasmosis: Seroprevalencia y factores de riesgo en las majadas caprinas de la región noroeste de Argentina

A cross-sectional survey was performed in 54 family farm units (FU) and 5 dairy commercial farm (CF) from different regions of Jujuy and Salta provinces, with the aim of studying the association between the seroprevalence against Toxoplama gondii antibodies in goats flocks and risk factors related to the farm units and the goats management. Sera were processed by the indirect fluorescent antibody test IFAT (n = 629) and indirect ELISA (n = 619) techniques. The Chi-square, Odds Ratio (OR) and logistic regression were used for the statistical analysis of the variables. Of the 59 visited flocks, 67.8% of them had at leastone seropositive goat, showing differences between FU (66.7%) and CF (80%). The general prevalence was 18.2% (95 % CI: 15.9-20.6%). The risk factors significantly associated to T. gondii prevalence greater than 20% of the sampled goats would be a percentage of cats greater than 1.1% in relation to the total number of mating goats (OR 5.26; 95% CI: 1.62-17.1) and the milking practice (OR 13.03; 95% CI: 2.19- 80.3). The present results show that infestations by T. gondii in the goat flocks of Salta and Jujuy are important and deserves further studies.flocks of Salta and Jujuy are important and deserves further studies.

Crossbreeding of Hair goats with Alpine and Saanen bucks: Production and reproduction traits of Native Hair goats in supplementary feeding in different physiological stage in natural pasture-based system

The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive, growth traits, milk quantity, quality and somatic cell count (SCC) traits of Hair goat flocks, raised in supplementary feeding in different physiological stage in natural pasture-based system. Data were collected from 1982 Hair goats, which were mated with Hair, Alpine or Saanen bucks during 2009 and 2013. Except for kidding time (P < 0.01) the reproductive performance rates of Hair goats mated with Hair, Alpine or Saanen bucks were not significant found (P> 0.05). However, Alpine × Hair F1 (AHF1) kids exhibited superior birth weight than Hair kids, while Hair kids had significantly higher weaning weight than Saanen × Hair F1 (SHF1) kids (P < 0.01). Average, lactation milk yield (LMY), daily milk yield (DMY) and lactation length (LL) of Hair goats were 212 days, 103.2 kg and 488 g respectively. Average contents of the milk were 5.24 % fat, 3.78 % protein, 5.39 % lactose, 10.01 % non-fat solids and 15.25 % total solids. However, excluding the effect of age on density and freezing point; age, flock and year had significant effects on milk production (P < 0.01) and physical and chemical compositions of the milk (P < 0.05). SCC value increased as stage of lactation and age progressed (P < 0.01). It is concluded that the high variation in milk yields among Hair goats could be the result of genetic variation. Therefore, the milk yield characteristics of Hair goats could be increased by selection or cross-breeding improved by better modelling of environmental variations that are suitable for agricultural-ecological diversity.

Milk production and quality patterns of double-purpose goats grazing in arid rangelands.

Lactation curves are a valuable tool for improving flock production efficiency, adjusting flock sizes, and improving farmers' income in grazing-based livestock production. Therefore, we used natural cubic splines to estimate (a) a general flock production pattern throughout a year, (b) an average lactation curve, and (c) patterns of milk chemical components in dual-purpose goats grazing in arid plant communities in the Sierra de San Francisco, Baja California Peninsula, during years of abundant precipitation. Also, milk chemical composition was compared between flocks. Annual flock milk production showed a wiggly pattern with two greater waves in summer and spring. The average individual lactation curve (kg/doe/day) and production curves of fat, protein, lactose, and ashes (g/doe/day) showed a decreasing and wiggly pattern across 35-week lactation; the greatest average daily production was in week 2. Milk, protein, lactose, and ash production curves had similar persistency values that were greater than those of the fat production curve. Milk production had a high-positive correlation with fat production and very high-positive correlations with protein, lactose, and ash production. Density (g/ml) and fat, protein, lactose, and ash contents (%) showed a ditch-shaped pattern across lactation, with greater values at the end. Goat flocks grazing across plant communities produced different quality milk. Thus, native plant communities are a valuable resource that favors a great fat content and moderate protein content in local goat milk. Also, breeding programs must pay attention that an increment in individual milk production could decrease fat and protein production, which are valuable for cheesemaking.

Control of gastrointestinal helminths in goats in a mixed grazing system with cattle

Due to the widespread resistance of small ruminant gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) against anthelmintic drugs the established control strategies need to get adapted, aiming to reduce their high dependence from chemical drugs. Host-specific development of GIN can be used as a tool when grazing different species on the same pastures. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of mixed grazing with cattle on the development of GIN infections in goats. Goat flocks with 3 heifers (Group Mix; Visp: n = 12, Chur: n = 15) and without heifers (Group Solo; Visp: n = 7, Chur: n = 15) were grazed separately on pastures at altitudes of 910 m (location Chur) and 1240 m (location Visp) above sea level resp. during one grazing season each. The composition of the mixed groups aimed to achieve a similar intake of roughage of both species. The stocking rate and the availability of roughage in the solo groups was balanced proportionately according to the situation in the mixed groups. The individual GIN egg excretion, the composition of the GIN larvae in the faeces, the FAMACHA©-Score and the pasture contamination with infective GIN larvae was determined in monthly intervals. At both sites the goats in the mixed groups showed a significantly lower mean GIN egg excretion compared with those of the Solo groups (p .

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium Infection in Sheep and Goat Flocks in China During 2010-2019: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Cryptosporidiosis is an extensively contagious zoonotic waterborne disease caused by the genus Cryptosporidium and poses to be a danger to public health. Sheep and goats are an intermediate host of Cryptosporidium. Consequently, a first systematic review and meta-analysis are performed to assess the burden of the infection relative to the Cryptosporidium in sheep and goat flocks in China. Five databases were searched for relevant literature in accordance with the inclusion criteria until January 30, 2020. At last, a total of 33 qualified documents were included. We calculate the overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium (4.9%) in sheep and goats in China with the random-effects model. The prevalence after 2014 (4.6%) was higher than that before or in 2014 (2.8%). The pooled prevalence of Cryptosporidium in sheep and goats from Northern China (12.3%) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than other regions. The infection rate of modified acid-fast staining (14.3%) was the highest among the detection methods. In age subgroups, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in sheep and goats in 3 months or before was the highest (20.8%). Goats had a higher infection rate (5.9%) in species. The prevalence of large-scale farms (2.8%) was lower than free-ranging farms (4.4%). The medium quality level (6.4%) was the highest. Besides, geographical factors (such as latitude, longitude, height, precipitation, humidity, mean temperature, etc.) were further analyzed as potential risk factors of Cryptosporidium in sheep and goats. This meta-analysis indicates that the Cryptosporidium infection of Chinese sheep and goat flocks is general. Thus, it is necessary to further monitor the prevalence of Cryptosporidium, and the reasonable preventive strategy should be formulated on the basis of the geographical factors of different regions and the differences in sheep and goats' growth stages to reduce the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in sheep and goats.

Seroprevalence of brucellosis and chlamydiosis in sheep and goats with history of abortion in Iran

• Brucellosis and chlamydiosis are common causes of abortion in livestock. • The prevalence of brucellosis was significantly higher in goats compared to sheep. • Inversely, goats showed a lower prevalence of chlamydiosis compared to sheep. • Brucella melitensis biovars 1 was identified in sheep and goats aborted fetuses. Abortion in small ruminants is a critical issue in many developing countries including Iran and causes devastating economic losses in small ruminant industry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of brucellosis and chlamydiosis in sheep and goats with a history of abortion during lambing seasons in Iran. Samples were collected during 2019 from sheep and goat flocks located in Fars province (Southern Iran). A total of 124 sera (101 sheep and 23 goats) from aborted females as well as 29 aborted fetuses were sampled and analyzed for Chlamydia abortus and Brucella spp. using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA) for chlamydiosis and a set of serological (RBT, SAT and 2-ME and i-ELISA) and bacterial tests for brucellosis. Seropositivity to C. abortus was also detected in 21.7 % and 4.3 % of sheep and goats, respectively. Brucella specific antibodies were found in 29.1 %, 22.6 %, 20.9 % and 23.4 % of tested sheep and goats using RBT, SAT,2-ME and i-ELISA, respectively. Bacterial isolation and biotyping led to the characterization of B. melitensis biovars 1 in sheep and goats aborted fetuses of Fars province. High prevalence of infection associated with brucellosis and chlamydiosis in both sheep and goat with a history of abortion highlights risks of human zoonotic infections by these pathogens. Therefore, special attention is required for further study and control program to counteract these infections in animals and humans.

Gender-Differentiated Contribution of Goat Farming to Household Income and Food Security in Semi-arid Areas of Msinga, South Africa

Small-scale goat farming can significantly contribute to livelihoods, particularly in semi-arid areas where rainfall is erratic and crop farming is too risky. The study investigated the gendered-differentiated contribution of goat farming to household food income and food security in the semi-arid area of Msinga in South Africa using focus group discussions, key informant interviews and a questionnaire survey of 241 households. Using the Household Food Insecurity and Access Scale to measure the household food security of goat farming households, descriptive statistics and the Chi-square statistics, results showed a significant relationship between food security and the household socio-economic parameters such as the education level of the household head (p &amp;lt; 0.05), the gender of the household head (p &amp;lt; 0.05) and the total household income (p &amp;lt; 0.01). The Tobit regression model showed that the main factors determining food security at the household level were education levels, gender and the total household income. Female-headed households were less food secure than male-headed households because they did not have reliable employment to provide adequate and nutritious food for their households. Therefore, empowering women is crucial to ensuring food security because unstable employment opportunities lead to households&amp;rsquo; failure to cope with food insecurity adequately. Goat farming did not contribute to household food security because it generated little income as goat sales were generally low, with a mean of 2.1 for male headed-households and 1.0 for female headed-households in 12 months (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Farmers obtained little income from goat farming because goat flock sizes for most households did not increase due to poor nutrition, diseases, predation, and theft. With the household food basket cost reported to be ZAR3 400/US$188, a household would need to sell up to four goats each month to survive solely on goat farming. However, where goat flock size was small, households limited goat sales to maintain the potential to increase their flock size. Empowering women by promoting rural education may increase their chances of being exposed to better management options, acquiring a better understanding of goat management practices, and making informed decisions, thereby contributing to the improvement of food security. Enhancing goat production is essential to increase flock sizes, as this enables farmers to make more sales, thereby improving food security. Therefore, extension workers need to help farmers better manage and utilize goat farming to their full potential. Finally, rural households need to reduce their autonomy and dependency on supermarket goods and become more agri-oriented.

Biological and molecular characterization of a sheep pathogen isolate of Mannheimia haemolytica and leukotoxin production kinetics.

Background and Aim:Mannheimia haemolytica (Mha) is a common agent of pneumonia in ruminants globally, causing economic losses by morbidity, mortality, and treatment costs. Infection by Mha is often associated with or promoted by respiratory viral pathogens and environmental conditions. Infections due to Mha have rarely been described in small ruminants. This study reports the biological and molecular characteristics of a new Moroccan Mha isolate from small ruminants presenting typical respiratory symptoms. We also studied the cultural parameters, growth kinetics, and Lkt excretion of the isolate and its pathogenicity on laboratory animals and small ruminants.Materials and Methods:Suspected pasteurellosis cases in sheep and goat flocks in Morocco were investigated. A local strain of Mha was isolated and identified using biochemical and molecular methods. Polymerase chain reaction-targeting specific genes were used for serotyping and phylogenetic analyses; further, leukotoxin production, cytotoxicity, and pathogenicity of the isolate in mice, goats, and sheep were investigated.Results:Phylogeny analysis revealed 98.76% sequence identity with the USA isolate of 2013; the strain growth with a cycle of 9-10 h with leukotoxin secretion was detected by NETosis and quantified by cytotoxicity and mortality of mice. Goat and sheep infections cause hyperthermia, with characteristic postmortem lesions in the trachea and lung.Conclusion:A local isolate of Mha from sheep that died of pneumonia was characterized for the 1st time in North Africa using biological and molecular methods. Although growth on appropriate culture media is accompanied by intense leukotoxin secretion, experimental infections of sheep and goats cause hyperthermia and typical lesions of pneumonia.

Seroprevalence of pestivirus infections is low in Belgian small ruminant flocks and is significantly associated with the presence of cattle

A study was implemented to estimate the pestivirus seroprevalence in sheep and goats in Belgium, to identify circulating species and to check for a potential association between seropositivity of small ruminants and presence of cattle in the same farm. It was based on the testing of serum samples and bulk tank milk samples (BTM) collected in sheep and goat flocks in 2018–2019 all over the country. 7460 serum samples collected from 410 flocks were tested by a commercial ELISA able to detect antibodies (Ab) against Border Disease Virus (BDV), and Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV). BTM samples (n = 144) were collected from dairy flocks in November 2019 and tested with the same Ab ELISA. ELISA positive serum samples were also tested by virus neutralization test (VNT) for neutralizing antibodies against BDV, BVDV-type1 and BVDV-type2. Virological tests (RT-PCR) were performed on pools of serum samples from pestivirus-exposed flocks with at least two seropositive animals and on all Antibody-positive BTM samples. Information about serum and milk samples (identification, test results, farm of origin and location, presence of cattle) were gathered in animal-level and farm-level databases.Based on this study, the apparent animal seroprevalence for pestiviruses in small ruminant flocks in Belgium in 2018 was estimated to be 0.87 % (95 % C.I. [0.68 %–1.11 %]). The prevalence of flocks exposed to pestivirus (i.e. with at least one seropositive animal) was estimated to be 8.5 % (95 % C.I. [6.4 % - 11.6 %]). In exposed flocks, the average within-flock seroprevalence was 9.9 %. In dairy sheep and goats, the estimated proportion of exposed flocks in 2019, based on the detection of pestivirus antibodies in the bulk tank milk, was 9.7 % [5.9 %–15.7 %]. All PCR tests were negative, indicating the likely absence of active pestivirus circulation in these flocks. Although the observed pestivirus seroprevalence was found to be low in Belgian small ruminants, this study also showed, based on VNT results, that they are exposed to several pestivirus species: BDV, BVDV-1 and BVDV-2. 22.4 % of the farms included in the serological survey were holding both a small ruminant flock and a cattle herd, hence with a potential risk of contact between the two species. There was a significant positive association between pestivirus seropositivity in the sheep/goat flocks and the presence of a cattle herd in the same farm (OR = 2.42 (95 %C.I. [1.18–4.94]) but this association was not found for Ab-positive BTM in dairy flocks.

Gynaecological Disorders Associated with &lt;i&gt;Brucella melitensis&lt;/i&gt; in Goat Flocks with Potential Risk of Occupational Zoonoses in Central India

Gynaecological Disorders Associated with &lt;i&gt;Brucella melitensis&lt;/i&gt; in Goat Flocks with Potential Risk of Occupational Zoonoses in Central India

Prevalence and risk factors of Haemotropic Mycoplasma ovis infection in selected smallholder sheep and goat flocks in Malaysia

Prevalence and risk factors of Haemotropic Mycoplasma ovis infection in selected smallholder sheep and goat flocks in Malaysia

Pathomorphology of Concurrent Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in a Cross Breed Goat Flock

Background: Respiratory diseases are very common in goats and cause severe economic loss to the rural poor farmers. Proper identification of the actual pathogen(s) responsible for the respiratory infections is critical for timely and proper management of those diseases. The present communication describes the spontaneous occurrence of concurrent Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and contagious caprine pleuro-pneumonia (CCPP) in a goat flock.Methods: An outbreak of respiratory disease in a goat flock consisting of 45 Tellicherry cross bred animals in varying age groups was investigated during the month of February 2019 in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. Information of disease outbreak and flock details were collected. Samples from live (nasal, ocular and rectal swabs) and dead (lung, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes) were collected for detection of Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) and Mycoplasma capricolum subsp.capripneumoniae (MCCP) antigen by polymerase chain reaction. Tissues from heart, lung, liver, kidney, intestine, spleen and lymph node were collected in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histopathological examination.Result: Out of 45 goats at risk, 23 showed clinical signs and 17 died of disease conditions with morbidity, mortality and case fatality rate of 51.11%, 37.77% and 73.91% respectively. PPR was confirmed by RT-PCR with M gene specific primers (191bp) and CCPP was confirmed by PCR with 16S rRNA gene fragment (316 bp). Affected animals showed clinical signs of pyrexia, anorexia, marked depression, mild erosions in the oral mucosa, nasal and ocular discharge, coughing and diarrhoea. Necropsy examination revealed congested oral mucosa, extensive pleuritis with large fibrin clots on lung surface and greyish pink consolidation of cranial lobes and anterior parts of diaphragmatic lobes. On section, consolidated areas were granular in appearance. Histopathology of lung revealed thickening of pleura, interlobular septa and alveolar wall by fibrin deposition and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Pulmonary congestion, infiltration of neutrophils and mononuclear cells, syncytial cell formation with eosinophilic intracytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusions were also noticed. Visceral organs showed degenerative and necrotic changes.

Phenotypic characterization and production potentials of exotic goat breeds and their crosses in Rajshahi metropolitan area of Bangladesh

This study was conducted to investigate the morphology, morphometry and production performances of exotic goat breeds and their crossbreds available at Boalia, Shahmokhdum, Rajpara and Matihar thana under Rajshahi metropolitan city. A total of 73 animals’ information was collected from 39 exotic goat flock owners using a semi-structured questionnaire through interviewing of farmers, visual observation and on-spot measurement of the animals. Exotic goat breeds and their crosses were found predominantly higher (&gt;93%) in Rajshahi Metropolitan areas where less than 7% Black Bengal goats were identified. In most cases, deviation of breed specific coat color due to crossing between different types of crossbreds among the populations was noted. The genotype frequencies of Beetal, Kalahari, Sirohi, Jamunapari, Anglo Nubian and their crossbreds and Black Bengal goats were found to be 50.68, 15.07, 13.70, 8.22, 8.22 and 4.11%, respectively. The average mature live weight (12 to 18 months) of those corresponding exotic genotypes in male and female respectively were found 46.88±5.66, 56.07±8.03, 32.67±8.09, 59.54±7.96 and 64.06±4.67 kg, and 21.70±2.24, 22.41±3.64, 17.37±4.05, 24.5±0.5 and 27.47±6.85 kg. Irrespective of genotypes, the mean age at puberty, lactation length, litter size, kidding interval and days open were found 167.50±3.49 days, 76.61±4.90 days, 1.71±0.10, 224.44±5.56 days and 52.64 ± 2.30 days, respectively. However, none of the aforementioned traits differed significantly (P&gt;0.05) among the five different exotic genotypes. In conclusion, this study provides some basic information on the performances of exotic goat breeds or their crossbreds at Metropolitan areas under intensive management conditions which could be utilized for designing proper breeding plan in their conservation and simultaneous improvement.&#x0D; Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2020. 49 (2): 100-107

Migratory Gaddi sheep and goats as potential carriers of Theileria infection: a molecular survey.

Theileriosis caused by parasites of the genus Theileria, is a vector-borne haemoprotozoan parasitic disease of critical concern in small ruminants. This study aimed to explore the infection status of migratory Gaddi sheep and goats with parasites from the Theileria genus in concurrence with ectoparasite infestations using molecular methods. Seventy three apparently healthy animals were randomly sampled from different flocks of migratory Gaddi sheep and goats and were systematically screened for ectoparasitic infestations. Molecular investigation for theileriosis was conducted using the genus wide polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Out of 56 (76.71%) animals positive for the genus Theileria, 2 randomly selected amplicons were sequenced and subjected to BLAST analysis and were showing 99.71% identity with Theileria luwenshuni, a pathogenic Theileria species of small ruminants. To confirm the presence of T. luwenshuni, species-specific PCR was attempted to identify that 38 (52.05%) animals were infected by T. luwenshuni. On analysing the molecular prevalence data of Theileria to the ectoparasitism, it was evident that the infection existed in the animals irrespective of the type of ectoparasitic infestation and even T. luwenshuni was found in non-infested animals also. This is the first report of subclinical infections of T. luwenshuni in sheep and goats of Northern India and its potential carrier status. The asymptomatic carrier status of these nomadic animals is a matter possessing serious implications on the disease transmission rates and the production economics of small ruminant production in this region.

Putative Novel Atypical BTV Serotype '36' Identified in Small Ruminants in Switzerland.

We identified a putative novel atypical BTV serotype ‘36’ in Swiss goat flocks. In the initial flock clinical signs consisting of multifocal purulent dermatitis, facial oedema and fever were observed. Following BTV detection by RT-qPCR, serotyping identified BTV-25 and also a putative novel BTV serotype in several of the affected goats. We successfully propagated the so-called “BTV-36-CH2019” strain in cell culture, developed a specific RT-qPCR targeting Segment 2, and generated the full genome by high-throughput sequencing. Furthermore, we experimentally infected goats with BTV-36-CH2019. Regularly, EDTA blood, serum and diverse swab samples were collected. Throughout the experiment, neither fever nor clinical disease was observed in any of the inoculated goats. Four goats developed BTV viremia, whereas one inoculated goat and the two contact animals remained negative. No viral RNA was detected in the swab samples collected from nose, mouth, eye, and rectum, and thus the experimental infection of goats using this novel BTV serotype delivered no indications for any clinical symptoms or vector-free virus transmission pathways. The subclinical infection of the four goats is in accordance with the reports for other atypical BTVs. However, the clinical signs of the initial goat flock did most likely not result from infection with the novel BTV-36-CH0219.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Chlamydia abortus Infection in Sheep and Goats in Eastern Saudi Arabia.

Chlamydia abortus (C. abortus) is intracellular, Gram-negative bacterium that cause enzootic abortion in sheep and goats. Information on C. abortus seroprevalence and flock management risk factors associated with C. abortus seropositivity in sheep and goats in Saudi Arabia are scarce. The objectives of this study were to (i) estimate the animal, flock, and within-flock seroprevalence of C. abortus among Eastern Province sheep and goat flocks and (ii) identify the flock management and animal risk factors associated with C. abortus seropositivity in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study with a two-stage sampling process was carried out in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, between 2015 and 2016. A total of 1717 sheep and 1101 goat serum samples were collected from 21 sheep and 14 goat flocks, then were tested for C. abortus antibodies using a commercial ELISA Kit. In addition, vaginal swabs and aborted tissue samples were collected from sheep (n = 48) and goats (n = 15) with recent history of abortion for detection of C. abortus pmp gene using PCR. A questionnaire was constructed to collect information about flock management and animal risk factors possibly associated with C. abortus infection in sheep and goats. The true sheep and goat-level seroprevalences were 11.1% (95% CI: 9.7–12.7) and 10.6% (95% CI: 8.8–12.5), respectively. The true flock-level seroprevalence was 100% for both sheep and goats. However, the average within sheep and goat flocks true seroprevalences were 9.6% (95% CI: 1.8–22.9) and 9.3% (95% CI: 1.8–19.5), respectively. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that introduction of new sheep to the flocks (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.5–4.4), type of breeding system (OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.0–3.4), flocks allowing females in (OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1–3.3) or females out (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1–4.3), and sheep age 1.4–2.8 years (OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.3–2.9) were potential risk factors for C. abortus seropositivity in sheep flocks. However, in goat flocks, the introduction of new goats to the flocks (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2–3.0) was identified as a risk factor, whereas good farm hygiene (OR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.2–0.7) was identified as a protective factor. C. abortus pmp gene was identified in 45 (93.8%) and 15 (100%) of samples collected from sheep and goats, respectively. These results could be used to implement efficient management measures to prevent and control C. abortus infection in sheep and goats in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, but also could be used to reduce the risk of C. abortus infection in sheep and goat flocks with similar management practices in other regions.

Detection and Phylogenetic Study of Peste des Petits Ruminants in Iran, 2019: Updated Data.

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is caused by a morbillivirus from the Paramyxoviridae family and the infected animals, especially goats, that show clinical signs of necrotic stomatitis, enteritis, and pneumonia. The PPR virus has four lineages closely related to the geographical regions. Sufficient awareness of the lineage of the virus helps monitor the disease in different regions of a country. Phylogenetic studies have led to implementing strategies against new lineages that may enter a given country from the neighboring countries. The present research aimed to study the PPR virus (PPRV) detected phylogenetically by PCR in a small ruminant flock with PPR clinical signs. The goats in a flock in Alborz province showed clinical signs of PPR, and 10% died. Oral swabs and blood samples were taken from two affected goat flocks. The RT-PCR was conducted to detect PPRV RNA, and the sequence of the obtained RNA was analyzed phylogenetically. Moreover, all the samples were positive for the presence of PPRV and belonged to lineage IV. The isolates had high homology with each other and with the isolates from different countries. To inhibit the entrance of new isolates to Iran and reduce the incidence of outbreaks in Iran, it is essential to control the animals&amp;rsquo; movement across the borders and increase the vaccination coverage throughout the country. To eradicate PPR, an extensive vaccination program should cover small ruminant populations throughout the country.

Increasing awareness for tick-borne encephalitis virus using small ruminants as suitable sentinels: Preliminary observations

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is one of the most common zoonotic vector-borne infections in Europe. An appropriate awareness is crucial to react quickly and efficiently to protect humans from this pathogen. From winter 2017 until spring 2018 serum samples were collected from 71 small ruminant flocks (3174 animals) in five German federal states. The sera were examined for TBEV antibodies by ELISA and serum neutralization test. In the TBEV risk areas, there was a coincidence in 14 districts between seropositive small ruminants and the occurrence of human TBE cases in 2017. In eight districts, the TBEV infection could not be detected in small ruminants although human cases were reported. In contrast, in five districts, small ruminants tested TBEV seropositive without notified human TBE cases in 2017. A changing pattern of TBEV circulation in the environment was observed by the absence of antibodies in a defined high-risk area. In the non-TBE risk areas, seropositive small ruminants were found in five districts. In two districts with a low human incidence the infection was missed by the small ruminant sentinels. An intra-herd prevalence of 12.5% was determined in a goat flock in the non-TBE risk area in 2017, two years prior the first autochthone human case was reported. All sheep and goats in this flock were examined for TBEV antibodies for three years. Individual follow-up of twelve small ruminants was possible and revealed mostly a short lifespan of TBEV antibodies of less than one year. The probability to identify TBEV seropositive sheep flocks was enhanced in flocks kept for landscape conservation or which were shepherded (p < 0.05). Our preliminary observations clearly demonstrated the successful utilization of small ruminants as sentinel animals for TBEV.

Towards objective measurement of reproductive performance of traditionally managed goat flocks in the drylands of Ethiopia

Reproductive performance is a key determinant for the efficiency of goat production. Regular monitoring of reproductive efficiency is essential to assess management and to avoid financial losses due to poor performance. To allow more objective measurement and comparisons over time, we propose a novel quantitative approach for defining annual reproductive performance by combining common performance indicators into a goat flock index. Commonly used reproductive performance measures were collected from 242 goat flocks in four districts in dryland of Ethiopia between July 2018 and February 2019. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to identify biologically meaningful latent components that explain annual reproductive output (ARO) and annual reproductive wastage (ARW). Together with the remaining annual reproductive performance measures, the ARO and ARW components were included in a PCA to derive an algorithm for a goat annual reproductive performance index (G-ARPI). One component representing variation in kidding interval, PCARO1 and PCARW1 was extracted and normalized to a 10-scale value. The flocks were classified into good performing (15.63%) with index > 8.5, moderately performing (48.21%) with index values ranging from 6.5 to 8.5 and poor performing (36.16%) with index < 6.5. Good performing flocks have higher scores for reproductive output measures, lower scores for reproductive wastage and lower kidding interval. The proposed G-ARPI can be used as an objective tool to compare reproductive performance between management systems, evaluate the costs of poor reproductive management and will be useful for economic models that aim to identify the most cost-efficient intervention option and monitor the impact of interventions. We present here the index for goat production in dryland systems in Ethiopia; the approach can easily be adapted to other production systems elsewhere.