Peste Des Petits Ruminants Disease Research Articles

A survey on the knowledges, attitudes, behaviours and practices of goat farmers about peste des petits ruminants disease in goats at Haor and bordered areas in Sylhet district of Bangladesh.

Contagious and economically devastating, peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a viral disease affecting goats and sheep, causing significant losses in livestock productivity and posing a threat to food security and rural livelihoods worldwide. This study was conducted to assess the status of goat farmer's knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) about PPR disease at Sylhet district of Bangladesh. A comprehensive cross-sectional survey, conducted over 11 weeks, targeted 130 goat owners. Following a pilot study with 20 farmers, a set of 17 validated questions on PPR KAP was validated. Data collection was performed through face-to-face interviews by a trained team using KOBO Toolbox, with interpretation of responses based on established thresholds for knowledge (>65%), attitude (>75%) and practice (>70%). Overall, 67.7% of participants demonstrated a good level of knowledge about PPR disease. Males exhibited 1.42 times higher odds of knowledge compared to females (odds ratio=1.42). The middle age group (31-45 years) showed significantly higher knowledge levels (83.3%, p<0.001). Within this age group, positive practice levels were also notably higher (54.8%). Those with a higher secondary education background exhibited the most positive practice levels (>80%). Participants whose additional income came from non-governmental organization employment showed a higher positive practice level (71.4%), 1.46 times higher than other income sources. Strategic interventions should prioritize female farmers, educational empowerment and collaboration with non-governmental organizations to bolster livestock health and rural livelihoods in Bangladesh as part of national PPR control strategy to fulfil the goals of Office International des Epizooties/World Organization for Animal Health (OIE/WOAH) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) PPR eradication by 2030.

Comparative study of HA and HNB staining RT-LAMP assays for peste des petits ruminants virus detection in West African Dwarf goats.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) cause severe economic losses to many countries of the world where the disease is endemic. It has been targeted for global eradication by 2030 following the successful eradication of rinderpest in 2011. The proposed eradication program would benefit from efficient and relatively reliable diagnostic tools for early PPR virus (PPRV) detection. A total of 33 eight to 12 months old West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were used. Nineteen goats infected by commingling with two PPR virus-positive animals formed the infected group (PPRV-infected goats) while 14 non-infected goats formed the control group (CTG). The suitability of hydroxyl naphthol blue (HNB) staining of reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) and haemagglutination (HA) assays was compared for their sensitivity to detect the PPRV in PPRV-infected goats and non-infected CTG. PPR disease severity in WAD goats at different days post infection (dpi) was evaluated by clinical scoring and haemagglutination titre (HAT). HNB staining RT-LAMP reaction and HA showed sensitivities of 100% and 73.68%, respectively, for PPRV detection. Expression of PPR clinical signs began from 3 dpi, attained peak at 5 dpi, thereafter showed irregular patterns till 24 dpi. Evaluation of HAT in PPRV-infected goats at 12 dpi ranged from 2 to 64 haemagglutination units (HAU), while CTG goats had 0 HAU. In conclusion, HA could be a good tool for rapid diagnosis of PPRV in a developing country setting. However, HNB staining RT-LAMP assay demonstrated high sensitivity for accurate diagnoses of PPRV and as an important diagnostic tool when precise phenotyping is desired.

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Vaccination Cost Estimates in Burkina Faso.

Simple SummaryPeste des petits ruminants (PPR) causes high mortality in sheep and goats leading to negative social, cultural, and economic impacts on farmers who keep small ruminants. Since 2019, Burkina Faso has been implementing a national strategy to eliminate PPR. After two years of mass vaccination of small ruminants with significant resources invested, very little is known about the cost of vaccination and how it is distributed along with the different nodes of the vaccine distribution chain. This study aimed to fill this gap to inform decision-making in the allocation of the limited resources that are available. The results show that the cost of vaccination of a small ruminant is XOF 169 (USD 0.3) and XOF 103 (USD 0.18) if the vaccination is carried out by public and private vaccinators, respectively. Field activities and personnel bear the highest cost share. These results will inform a better resource allocation to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of small ruminants vaccination against PPR.Every year the government organizes country-wide vaccination campaigns targeting peste des petits ruminants (PPR) for small ruminants (sheep and goats). Despite the heavy investment in vaccination, no study has either rigorously estimated or described the cost of vaccine delivery. This study aimed to fill this gap by assessing and describing the cost of delivery of vaccines against PPR using the 2020 vaccination campaign data. The microcosting approach based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to construct comprehensive multiyear plans (cMYP) for human immunization programs was used. The cost data is presented for the public and private vaccine delivery channels separately and analyzed using three approaches considering activity lines, inputs, and nature of cost (fixed versus variable). Results show that the unit cost of vaccinating a sheep or goat is estimated at XOF 169 (USD 0.3) and XOF 103 (USD 0.18) through the public and private channels, respectively. Using the activity line framework, we found that the field activities including charges for vaccinator, cost of vaccination materials, and field transportation account for more than 50% of the vaccination cost. In terms of inputs, the personnel cost is the most significant contributor with 65%. Fixed costs are higher in the public sector with up to 46% compared to the private sector which is estimated to take 26% of the cost. This study informs veterinary services’ investment decision options for a better allocation of resources in implementing PPR and other small ruminant disease control efforts in Burkina Faso and the Sahel.

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

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.

Spatio-temporal cluster analysis and transmission drivers for Peste des Petits Ruminants in Uganda.

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a transboundary, highly contagious, and fatal disease of small ruminants. PPR causes global annual economic losses of between USD 1.5 and 2.0 billion across more than 70 affected countries. Despite the commercial availability of effective PPR vaccines, lack of financial and technical commitment to PPR control coupled with a dearth of refined PPR risk profiling data in different endemic countries has perpetuated PPR virus transmission. In Uganda, over the past 5 years, PPR has extended from northeastern Uganda (Karamoja) with sporadic incursions in other districts /regions. To identify disease cluster hotspot trends that would facilitate the design and implementation of PPR risk-based control methods (including vaccination), we employed the space-time cube approach to identify trends in the clustering of outbreaks in neighbouring space-time cells using confirmed PPR outbreak report data (2007-2020). We also used negative binomial and logistic regression models and identified high small ruminant density, extended road length, low annual precipitation and high soil water index as the most important drivers of PPR in Uganda. The study identified (with 90-99% confidence) five PPR disease hotspot trend categories across subregions of Uganda. Diminishing hotspots were identified in the Karamoja region whereas consecutive, sporadic, new and emerging hotspots were identified in central and southwestern districts of Uganda. Inter-district and cross-border small ruminant movement facilitated by longer road stretches and animal comingling precipitate PPR outbreaks as well as PPR virus spread from its initial Karamoja focus to the central and southwestern Uganda. There is therefore urgent need to prioritize considerable vaccination coverage to obtain the required herd immunity among small ruminants in the new hotspot areas to block transmission to further emerging hotspots. Findings of this study provide a basis for more robust timing and prioritization of control measures including vaccination.

Beyond the Gender of the Livestock Holder: Learnings from Intersectional Analyses of PPR Vaccine Value Chains in Nepal, Senegal, and Uganda.

Simple SummaryThe peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is one of the deadliest viral diseases of small ruminants and is endemic in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. While PPR vaccination programs exist in these contexts, many factors restrict their reach and effectiveness, which go beyond the often cited financial, technological, and logistical constraints. This paper examines these less investigated factors, in particular the role of gender norms and other social and cultural factors, in affecting which livestock keepers are unable to access PPR vaccines and which groups are less reached by the vaccine distribution systems. Across three countries selected for our study, we find that, overall, women derive fewer benefits from the system than men; in addition, belonging to certain ethnic groups, being of low caste, or living in remote regions are additional markers of exclusion and marginalization from accessing livestock vaccines.The peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a deadly viral disease of small ruminants, which are an important source of livelihood for hundreds of millions of poor smallholders throughout Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. PPR vaccination efforts often focus on overcoming financial, technological, and logistical constraints that limit their reach and effectiveness. This study posits that it is equally important to pay attention to the role of gender and other intersecting social and cultural factors in determining individual and groups’ ability to access PPR vaccines or successfully operate within the vaccine distribution system. We compare three study contexts in Nepal, Senegal, and Uganda. Qualitative data were collected through a total of 99 focus group discussions with men and women livestock keepers and animal health workers, 83 individual interviews, and 74 key informant interviews. Our findings show that there are not only important gender differences, but also interrelated structures of inequalities, which create additional sites of exclusion. However, these intersections are not generalizable across contexts—except for the intersection of gender and geographic remoteness, which is salient across vaccine distribution systems in the three countries—and social markers such as caste, ethnicity, and livelihood are associated with vulnerability only in specific settings. In order to address the distinct needs of livestock keepers in given settings, we argue that an intersectional analysis combined with context-dependent vaccination approaches are critical to achieving higher vaccination rates and, ultimately, PPR disease eradication by 2030.

Identification of peste des petits ruminants virus along with co-infecting diseases of goats in Bangladesh.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus is the main infectious cause of goat mortality in Bangladesh, and co-infection may make diseases more severe. This study aimed to detect PPR and co-infecting diseases in goats. One hundred goats suspected to be infected with the PPR virus were collected from various areas of Mymensingh district, Bangladesh. A systemic post-mortem examination was carried out on PPR-suspected goats. Lungs, spleen, and lymph nodes (pre-scapular) were used for ribonucleic acid extraction, whereas lungs and mesenteric lymph nodes were used for deoxyribonucleic acid extraction. Seven-pair primer sets were used for molecular detection of pathogens specific for PPR, goat pox, contagious ecthyma (Orf), foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus, Klebsiella sp., and Mycobacterium sp. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to find the exact cause. Out of 100 PPR-suspected goats examined, 55 goats were confirmed as PPR-detected by RT-PCR. Among the 55 PPR-positive goats, 2 were co-infected with goat pox, 2 with tuberculosis, 10 with Klebsiella sp. infection, and 6 with FMD as detected by PCR and RT-PCR. Moreover, 12 goats were co-infected with PPRV and fascioliasis. About 58% of PPR virus-infected goats were co-infected with other organisms. There is a need to design technology to detect the state of co-infectivity at its early onset and future preventive and therapeutic strategies for co-infecting diseases. This is the first study in Bangladesh to describe co-infecting diseases of goats along with PPR.

Review of Peste des Petits Ruminants Occurrence and Spread in Tanzania.

Simple SummaryPeste des petits ruminants (PPR), caused by PPR virus (PPRV), is a transboundary animal disease of sheep and goats that has a significant impact on farmer’s livelihoods, food and nutritional security; and threatens susceptible wildlife. This review compiled information on the introduction and spread of PPR in Tanzania, from published and unpublished sources. PPR was first confirmed in Tanzania in 2008, but could have been present earlier, based on antibody detection in archived sera. The virus was probably introduced to northern Tanzania through cross-border movement of sheep and goats, and afterwards spread to eastern, central and southern Tanzania through movement of animals by pastoralists and traders. Genome sequencing shows that there have been several introductions of PPRV and it is now considered to be endemic. PPR has not been observed in cattle, camels or wildlife, but sera collected from these species contain PPRV antibodies, indicating virus exposure, probably through contact with infected sheep and goats. Some challenges for PPR control in Tanzania include the spread of the disease through small ruminants movements for pastoralism and trade, and limited veterinary services for disease surveillance and vaccination. The socio-economic impact of PPR justifies investment in a comprehensive disease eradication programme.Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an important transboundary animal disease of domestic small ruminants, camels, and wild artiodactyls. The disease has significant socio-economic impact on communities that depend on livestock for their livelihood and is a threat to endangered susceptible wild species. The aim of this review was to describe the introduction of PPR to Tanzania and its subsequent spread to different parts of the country. On-line databases were searched for peer-reviewed and grey literature, formal and informal reports were obtained from Tanzanian Zonal Veterinary Investigation Centres and Laboratories, and Veterinary Officers involved with PPR surveillance were contacted. PPR virus (PPRV) was confirmed in northern Tanzania in 2008, although serological data from samples collected in the region in 1998 and 2004, and evidence that the virus was already circulating in Uganda in 2003, suggests that PPRV might have been present earlier than this. It is likely that the virus which became established in Tanzania was introduced from Kenya between 2006–7 through the cross-border movement of small ruminants for trade or grazing resources, and then spread to eastern, central, and southern Tanzania from 2008 to 2010 through movement of small ruminants by pastoralists and traders. There was no evidence of PPRV sero-conversion in wildlife based on sera collected up to 2012, suggesting that they did not play a vectoring or bridging role in the establishment of PPRV in Tanzania. PPRV lineages II, III and IV have been detected, indicating that there have been several virus introductions. PPRV is now considered to be endemic in sheep and goats in Tanzania, but there has been no evidence of PPR clinical disease in wildlife species in Tanzania, although serum samples collected in 2014 from several wild ruminant species were PPRV sero-positive. Similarly, no PPR disease has been observed in cattle and camels. In these atypical hosts, serological evidence indicates exposure to PPRV infection, most likely through spillover from infected sheep and goats. Some of the challenges for PPRV eradication in Tanzania include movements of small ruminants, including transboundary movements, and the capacity of veterinary services for disease surveillance and vaccination. Using wildlife and atypical domestic hosts for PPR surveillance is a useful indicator of endemism and the ongoing circulation of PPRV in livestock, especially during the implementation of vaccination to control or eliminate the disease in sheep and goats. PPR disease has a major socio-economic impact in Tanzania, which justifies the investment in a comprehensive PPRV eradication programme.

Isolation and identification of peste des petits ruminants virus from goats in Egyptian governorates.

Background and Aim:The peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious disease of small ruminants which negatively affects animal production and the socioeconomic status of farmers. Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) encodes eight proteins, with the viral fusion protein (F) playing a role in virus virulence and stimulating an effective protective immune response. This study aimed to isolate and complete the identification of PPRV circulating in goats in different Egyptian governorates and perform molecular characterization of the PPRV F gene.Materials and Methods:Samples were collected from unvaccinated animals with clinical signs suggestive of PPR. A total of 256 sera were tested for the detection of PPRV antibodies using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) kit, while 214 samples of blood buffy coat preparation, animal swabs (nasal, ocular, and saliva), and fecal and tissue samples were tested for the detection of the PPRV antigen using an antigen-capture ELISA kit. Molecular diagnosis, gene cloning, blast analysis, and phylogenetic analysis were performed for the molecular characterization of PPRV.Results:The seroprevalence results of PPRV antibodies in the tested sera showed a total of 67.9% positive samples. The rates of PPR antigen recorded by the antigen-capture ELISA in the swabs (nasal and ocular) and tissue samples were 44.3%, 46.8%, and 43.5%, respectively, with saliva swabs having the highest rate of PPRV positivity (76.4%) and fecal samples having the lowest (33.3%). Molecular characterization of the PPRV Vero cell culture revealed that the circulating PPRV strain belongs to the IV lineage. Blast analysis of the PPRV F gene showed 96.7% identity with the PPRV strain Egypt-2014 fusion protein (F) gene, KT006589.1, differing by 43 single-nucleotide polymorphisms.Conclusion:The results of this study indicate that the emerging PPRV belongs to the IV lineage among small ruminant animals. The findings also indicate the need for an innovative strategy to control and eliminate this disease based on a regularly administered and effective vaccine, a test to distinguish between infected and vaccinated animals, and the need for further study on the protein structure and PPRV F gene expression, which should help us to understand the molecular evolution of the virus and control and eliminate PPR disease.

Characterisation of Peste Des Petits Ruminants Disease in Pastoralist Flocks in Ngorongoro District of Northern Tanzania and Bluetongue Virus Co-Infection.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) disease was first confirmed in Tanzania in 2008 in sheep and goats in Ngorongoro District, northern Tanzania, and is now endemic in this area. This study aimed to characterise PPR disease in pastoralist small ruminant flocks in Ngorongoro District. During June 2015, 33 PPR-like disease reports were investigated in different parts of the district, using semi-structured interviews, clinical examinations, PPR virus rapid detection test (PPRV-RDT), and laboratory analysis. Ten flocks were confirmed as PPRV infected by PPRV-RDT and/or real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and two flocks were co-infected with bluetongue virus (BTV), confirmed by RT-qPCR. Phylogenetic analysis of six partial N gene sequences showed that the PPR viruses clustered with recent lineage III Tanzanian viruses, and grouped with Ugandan, Kenyan and Democratic Republic of Congo isolates. No PPR-like disease was reported in wildlife. There was considerable variation in clinical syndromes between flocks: some showed a full range of PPR signs, while others were predominantly respiratory, diarrhoea, or oro-nasal syndromes, which were associated with different local disease names (olodua—a term for rinderpest, olkipiei—lung disease, oloirobi—fever, enkorotik—diarrhoea). BTV co-infection was associated with severe oro-nasal lesions. This clinical variability makes the field diagnosis of PPR challenging, highlighting the importance of access to pen-side antigen tests and multiplex assays to support improved surveillance and targeting of control activities for PPR eradication.

Sero-surveillance of circulating PPR virus and its molecular analysis in selected areas of Bangladesh

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly fatal viral disease of goat and sheep. This research work was done in 2017-2018 by executing, surveillance and epidemiological studies to determine present status of circulating PPR virus and its molecular characterization in different areas of Bangladesh. cELISA was conducted to detect the PPR antibody and RT-PCR also used for identification of N gene PPRV. Sera samples and nasal swabs were collected from eight (8) selected villages under Meherpur sadar upazila of Meherpur district on questionnaire basis. Considering two villages as control and six villages as treatment villages. The total 1860 sera were collected at pre vaccination, 21 days, 3 months, 6 months of post vaccination at these selected areas that tested by cELISA and 8035 goat and sheep were received locally produced PPR Vaccine. Baseline study showed that a total of 950 household rear goats in selected 8 villages where number of goats per household ranges from 4.0-5.0. Deworming was done before vaccination in the treatment villages. Pre-vaccination status of six (6) treatment villages were 55.95%, 50.76%, 37.68%, 41.12%, 44.62% and 43.26% in Chakshamnagar, kola, Amjupi, Amdah, Gopalpur and Chadbill respectively, whereas in the control villages (2) seropositive were 40.00% and 42.57% in Doforpur and Mayamari, respectively. Overall 44.90% goats were seropositive against PPR Virus in treatment villages before vaccination. The Sera was analyzed from 21 days, 3 months and 6 months of post-vaccinated goat and sheep from the treatment (6) villages showed the average herd immunity level of goats and sheep rose to 89.10%, 93.25% and 93.37% respectively whereas in the control villages seropositive goats was 38.14%, 43.98% and 35.64% respectively. Awareness building campaigns with villagers have been conducted involving both men and women through the training, meeting, regular visit of household, distribution of poster and leaflet. The mortality and case fatality rate recorded were 7.4% and 18.8%, respectively due to PPR outbreaks. In clinical case, total 59 nasal swabs were molecular characterized by RT-PCR and 41 (69.49%) samples were N gene positive. Among them, the highest presence of PPR virus was recorded at Meherpur sadar upazila 80.77% (21 out of 26) samples was positive. The result of RT-PCR indicates the PPR virus circulating in the different regions of Bangladesh. It is reflected that locally produced PPR vaccine confers sufficient herd immunity that can protect PPR disease in goat and sheep which helps to meet global PPR control programme.&#x0D; Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2019, 4 (2), 88-96

Clinical investigation of PPR outbreak and sero-prevalence of PPR viral antibody in different areas of Bangladesh

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an acute, highly contagious, world organization for animal health (OIE) notifiable and economically important transboundary viral disease of sheep and goats associated with high morbidity and mortality and caused by PPR virus. This research work was done in 2016-2017 by executing, surveillance and clinical investigation studies to determine present status of circulating PPR virus and its detection of antibody level of PPRV in different areas of Bangladesh. cELISA was conducted to detect the PPR antibody and RT-PCR also used for identification of N gene PPRV. The clinical outbreak of PPR, the total 124 samples was collected at the six locations of the country and highest case fatality (morbidity) was recorded at Jhenaidah 93.75% (75 out of 80).The highest morbidity rate and mortality rate was 69.23% and 13.07% respectively. The result of RT-PCR indicates the PPR virus circulating in the different regions of Bangladesh. For sero-prevalence of PPR antibodies of 366 serum samples were collected at different region of Bangladesh such as Chuadanga 47.81% (22 out of 47), Sirajganj 34.21% (13 out of 38), Thakurgaon 48.15% (26 out of 54), Satkhira 56.92% (37out of 65), Jhenaidah 33.33% (28 out of 84) and Chattogram 30.79 % (24 out of 78). It is reflected that the selected areas are highly suspected PPR and need to proper vaccination against PPR vaccine that can protect PPR disease in goat and sheep which helps to meet global PPR control strategy as well as contribute to achieve the two (2) number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).&#x0D; Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2019, 4 (2), 109-115

Using Ecosystem Service Modeler (ESM) for Ecological Quality, rarity and Risk Assessment of the wild goat habitat, in the Haftad-Gholleh protected area

In recent years, the destruction of habitats has reduced the wild goat population in the Haftad-Gholleh protected area. The wild goat (Capra aegagrus) is known as symbol of biodiversity of Markazi Province. In a field study conducted between 2007 and 2017, the number of wild goats were surveyed and threat to their habitat were determined as the population and the ecological conditions as well as their movements in the Haftad-Gholleh were identified. Landsat image of year 2018 was used to produce digital land use maps for this study. Ecological Quality, Rarity and Risk Assessment was performed with ESM, HQR and HRA models. The images were classified into three classes including; Agriculture-livestock, Rangeland, and Residential regions. The results indicated that 75% of the casualties of the wild goat by Peste des Petits Ruminants disease were from the Chekab Valley and 25% from the Sibak Valley. Almost 80% of deaths among the population of wild goats were observed in the month of July. However, there are two important mountainous and plains habitats in the Haftad-Gholleh Area. Among the biggest threats and more devastating stressors in the region were to villagers, agricultural-livestock and roads development. However, among the stressors, the agriculture-livestock caused more deaths in the mountainous habitat of the wild goats. Thus, there is an urgent need for habitat conservation of the existing population of the wild goat in Haftad-Gholleh area.

Prevalence and molecular characterization of peste des petits ruminants virus from Ismailia and Suez, Northeastern Egypt, 2014–2016

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a severe viral disease of small ruminants endemic in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The aim of this study was to determine the current circulation of PPR virus (PPRV) and the prevalence of PPR disease among sheep and goats in Ismailia and Suez governorates in northeastern Egypt. PPRV infection was confirmed using virus isolation (VI), conventional and real-time RT-PCR. The overall morbidity and mortality were 54.2% and 8.5%, respectively, and clinical disease was significantly higher in goats and young animals in the Suez compared to the Ismailia. Of the 40 samples tested, the real-time PCR showed the highest diagnostic sensitivity (100%) compared to RT-PCR (93%) and VI (83%). Sequence analyses of N and F genes of three field isolates revealed a 97% and 99% nucleotide homology with the Egyptian strains, respectively and 99% identity with 2010 Ethiopian PPRV. Phylogenetically all the Egyptian sequences cluster in lineage IV. This is the first report of PPR in Suez and confirms the (on-going) PPRV circulation in northeastern Egypt and emphasize the need to perpetuate molecular epidemiological surveillance on a large scale to reduce economic loss.

Incidence of Peste des Petits Ruminants in Rangpur sadar of Bangladesh

This epidemiological study was conducted to find out the incidence of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in goat and sheep at Upazilla Veterinary Hospital, Rangpur sadar, Rangpur during the period of January to April, 2014. In this period, 236 clinically infected goat and sheep were examined in which 22 (9.32%) PPR cases were diagnosed on the basis of history, clinical signs and gross pathological lesions. High fever (104-107 oC), mucopurulent oculo-nasal discharge, rapid and labored breathing, mouth lesion and diarrhea were the common clinical sign of PPR infected goat and sheep. The postmortem examination findings were dark red areas and congestion in different lobes of lungs, enlargement of spleen and lymph nodes, erosion of abomasums and characteristics zebra striping in the mucosa of colon. This present study reveals that about 7-12 months aged group of goats were more prone (40.91%) to PPR compare to adult (above 1 year) and Black Bengal goat was more susceptible (72.32%) than Jamunapari (27.78%) goat where the occurrence of PPR disease was more in goat (81.82%) than sheep (18.18%).Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2017, 3(4): 529-533

Sero-Prevalence and Socioeconomic Impacts of Peste Des Petits Ruminants in Small Ruminants of Selected Districts of Afar, Ethiopia

The aim of this study was to estimate the sero-prevalence of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in sheep and goat and its direct socio-economic impact on pastoral community in Afar region, Ethiopia. We sampled sera of 229 of sheep (n=94) and goats (n=135) from two districts and tested the sera for anti-PPR antibody positivity by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). We also conducted interview with 45 pastorals pertaining to PPR mortality, production losses, costs incurred and impact on animal. The respondents indicated that communal use of available resources (feed, water) and practices of animal gift, flock migration and admixture is common in the area, which could facilitate the spread PPR. They indicated that migration for searching of grazing and water during drought season, contact with wildlife and unknown factors within-flock was associated with the serious PPR disease outbreaks. The serological result showed that the prevalence of anti-PPR virus antibody in sheep and goats was 41.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 31.4, 52.1) and 39.3 % (95% CI: 31 to 48), respectively. The overall prevalence of PPR was 40.2% (95% CI: 33.8 to 46.8). The total financial losses due to PPR varied during drought and nondrought periods as the monitory value of animals decreases during drought time due to emaciation. Accordingly, the financial loss of PPR was 652, 595 birr (drought time) and 1,683,120 birr (without drought) in a shoat population of 3905 heads in the study area. A systematic intensive surveillance and timely vaccination along the route of migration via herders' participation could be the best and low-cost preventive measure to control such deadly preventable disease outbreaks.

Detection of &lt;em&gt;Peste des Petits Ruminants&lt;/em&gt; Virus genome in fecal material of goats after an outbreak in Punjab Province of Pakistan: A longitudinal study

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild small ruminants causing high morbidity and mortality (up to 100%) and thus, has serious socioeconomic implications. In Pakistan, estimated losses due to PPR during the year 2012-13 were worth Pakistan Rs. 31.51 billion. Close contact between infected and susceptible animal is an important route of transmission of PPR. Therefore, carrier animals play an important role in unnoticed transmission of the disease. Limited information is available about the persistence of PPR virus in goats. Hence, the objective of the study was to investigate the persistence of PPR virus (PPRV) in goats recovered from PPR. A suspected PPR outbreak in sub-urban area of Lahore district of the Punjab Province in Pakistan was investigated. The outbreak was confirmed as PPR after analyzing appropriate samples (nasal/ocular swabs, fecal and tissue samples) collected from the infected animals. A longitudinal study was conducted over a period of 16 weeks to ascertain the persistence of PPRV in the fecal samples of recovered goats (n=96) collected at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after the outbreak. Samples were analyzed using RT-PCR. Of the 96 fecal samples, 46, 37, 29 and 7 goats remained positive for PPRV genome at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after recovery, respectively. The results revealed the detection of PPRV genome in goats at 16 weeks after recovery. Therefore, it can be concluded that PPR disease has a carrier potential and goats recovered from PPR infection may act as source of carrier animals.

English

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an important viral disease of sheep and goats, it causes huge economic losses in susceptible animals. The prevalence of PPR in sheep and goats in White Nile State, Sudan was studied; passive haemagglutinatin test (PHA) &nbsp;and competitive ELISA were used to detect PPR antibodies in 517 serum samples collected from animals that showed symptoms suggestive of PPR disease as well as from clinically healthy ones at White Nile State, Sudan. The serum samples were tested for presence of PPRV antibodies using cELISA and PHA test. The results obtained by PHA were compared with that of ELISA. 314 (60%) of serum samples were positive by cELISA while 291(56.2%) were positive by PHA. By both tests, 262 (83%) out of the tested samples were found positive for PPRV antibodies. The agreement between the two tests was 84.3%, the relative sensitivity was 84% and specificity was 85.2%. Age and localities appears to be risk factor for cELISA and PHA PPR seropositivity. PHA was found to be a useful technique for detecting PPRV antibodies. Key words: Peste des petits ruminants, passive haemagglutination test, cELISA.

Vaccines against peste des petits ruminants virus

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious and economically important viral disease affecting goats, sheep and wild ruminants. The disease is currently circulating in Asian and African countries, creating problems in small ruminant farming. Current control of the disease mainly includes isolation and disinfection of the contaminated environment, and administration of a live-attenuated vaccine, which provides a strong immunity. Maintenance of cold chain for vaccine efficacy has proven difficult in subtropical countries. A thermostable live-attenuated conventional or recombinant vaccine is a way to avoid cold chain-associated problems in tropical and subtropical countries. Mass vaccination of sheep and goats in endemic countries might be a pragmatic approach to control PPR in the first phase of disease eradication. In the future, the development of a marker vaccine with a robust companion test may help in serosurveillance to identify infection in vaccinated animals to control PPR disease. Here, we discuss available potent PPR vaccines and the future possibility of developing new-generation vaccines against PPR.

Pathogénicité du virus atténué de la peste des petits ruminants chez des moutons et des chèvres

Progressive loss of virulence for goat kids was noticed when peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus was passaged in Vero cells. While goats inoculated with the 60th passage suffered from the clinical PPR disease and mortality, goats inoculated with the 80th passage did not show any sign of the disease. If the progressive loss of virulence of the virus with passage continues, it will not be long before a homologous PPR vaccine will be obtained at the National Veterinary Institute, Vom.