Positive Goats Research Articles

Herd-level seroprevalence of pestivirus infection in goat population in Poland.

A disease survey was conducted between 2014 and 2018 in the Polish goat population to determine the seroprevalence of pestiviral infection. Blood samples from 910 goats (782 females and 128 males) were collected in 62 goat herds and tested for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection with a competitive ELISA in a serial fashion. Between 10 and 13 adult female goats were randomly selected from each herd, assuming individual-level seroprevalence of pestiviral infection in a herd of at least 30% and a level of confidence of 95%. In each herd, all males were tested. At least one seropositive goat was found in each of the 4 herds. However, in one herd, the only positive goat tested negative in serial retesting. Finally, 3 herds were consi-dered as seropositive which yielded apparent herd-level seroprevalence of 4.8% (CI 95%: 1.7%, 13.3%). After adjusting for the ELISA herd-level sensitivity and specificity, the true herd-level prevalence was 3.9% (CI 95%: 1.2%, 12.0%). No males tested positive. In 2 out of 3 seropositive herds, goats regularly shared pastures with cattle.

High rates of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in goats from Mendoza province, Argentina: Parasite loads in blood and seasonal variation

Mendoza province, in central west Argentina, is considered among the high-risk provinces for vector transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. Extensive goat farming is common in large parts of rural Mendoza, and goats may act as a reservoir for this parasite. The objective of this study was to determine infection rates, parasite loads, and seasonal variation of these parameters in T. cruzi infection in goats from rural areas of three departments of Mendoza. A total of 349 peripheral blood samples with EDTA / guanidine were analyzed from goats on 11 farms (three in Lavalle, three in San Carlos, and five in Malargüe department) in spring of 2014, 2015, and 2016; and in fall of 2015 and 2016 (only Malargüe). DNA was extracted using a Phenol: Chloroform: Isoamyl protocol. The detection and quantification of T. cruzi was performed through qPCR amplification using satellite oligonucleotides. Of the 349 blood samples, 267 (77%) were positive, with parasite loads ranging between <0.10 and 10.90 par-eq/mL (median 0.10). In spring, frequencies of infection in the three departments ranged between 86% and 95%, but differences were not significant. Median parasite loads were higher in Lavalle than in the other departments, while those in goats from San Carlos were consistently low. The frequency of infection and parasite loads in Malargüe were significantly higher in spring than in fall. This seasonal variation may have been related to a reduced nutritional status and impaired immune response of goats in spring. In conclusion, the high proportion of positive goats confirms the persistence of T. cruzi in rural Mendoza.

Prevalence of Rumen and Reticulum Trematodes in The Goat Slaughtered at Pegirian Surabaya Slaughter House using Digestive Surgery Method

The purpose of this study was to determine the kind of trematodes which infected the rumen and reticulum of goat slaughtered at RPH Pegirian Surabaya using digestive surgery method, and determine the prevalence result. 36 samples of rumen and reticulum were collected from RPH Pegirian from September - November 2017 then using digestive surgery to obtain fresh adult worms, afterwards using the Semichen-Acetic Carmine staining method to makes the object easy to identifying. The results showed that species was found on goat was Paramphistomum cervi and Cotylophoron cotylophorum, in the Paramphistomum cervi are several characters wich is oral sucker, genital pore, uterus, testis, ventral sucker and in Cotylophoron cotylophorum contain oral sucker, branched oesophagus, uterus, vitelin glands, testes , posterior sucker. 3 rumen positive trematodosis with prevalence of 8.33% Chi-square statistic test (p&gt;0.05) showed no effect between goat species and Trematodosis prevalence, 20 kacang goat and 16 peranakan etawa goat found 2 positive kacang goat (10%) and 1 peranakan etawa goat positive (6.25%).

Anaplasma ovis infection in goat flocks around Gaborone, Botswana

Anaplasma is a genus of gram-negative, intracellular bacteria infecting different blood cells in animals. A. ovis infects erythrocytes of sheep and goats, inducing clinical signs that include haemolytic anaemia, icterus and loss of production. Aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. in goats in smallholder flocks around Gaborone, Botswana. Whole blood and serum samples were collected from 100 goats coming from 10 smallholder goat flocks from three villages around Gaborone, Botswana. Body condition and FAMACHA© scores were estimated. Blood was used for packed cell volume (PCV), blood smears, PCR, including species-specific PCR assays for A. marginale and A. ovis, and serum samples were analysed by Anaplasma spp. cELISA. Each farmer was interviewed about management, health and treatment of the goats. Microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood smears showed inclusion bodies in 53% of the samples. A seroprevalence of 88% was found on cELISA and 76% of the goats were positive by PCR using general primers for Anaplasma spp. All PCR positive goats were infected with A. ovis and no goats were positive for A. marginale. Positive animals were found in all areas and in all flocks. There was no correlation between infection and clinical signs. In Botswana, A. ovis in goats does not seem to pose a significant problem even though the pathogen is endemic in the goat population, or perhaps, because of being endemic, herd immunity leads to less severe clinical signs.

Chronic intramammary infection by Listeria monocytogenes in a clinically healthy goat \u2013 a case report

BackgroundListeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous Gram-positive bacterium responsible for a severe foodborne disease in humans, and contaminated dairy products can be an important source of infection. Typically, infected dairy ruminants show clinical manifestations including encephalitis, septicemia, abortion, and diarrhea, but may also become asymptomatic carriers and shed L. monocytogenes in the feces acting as an important source of viable bacteria. Isolation from individual goat milk has been documented very rarely, and chronic, asymptomatic intramammary infection by L. monocytogenes with continuous milk shedding of viable bacteria has never been described in this dairy species.Case presentationAt the routine controls, cheese and bulk milk were positive for L. monocytogenes in a herd of 200 lactating Alpine goats, but none showed clinical signs of listeriosis. Individual milk was subjected to bacterial culture and a clinically healthy goat was identified as affected by a chronic intramammary infection (IMI) by L. monocytogenes. The goat had never shown clinical signs of mastitis or other diseases. Her right half-udder milk was positive to L. monocytogenes in two consecutive samples collected one week apart, as demonstrated by bacterial culture and molecular analysis. Mammary tissues collected after culling were also positive to L. monocytogenes by culture. Histological examination highlighted a chronic interstitial mastitis with leukocyte infiltration, atrophy of the alveoli and presence of corpora amylacea. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) confirmed the presence of high numbers of bacteria in the lumen of mammary alveoli, with intracellular bacteria mainly located in macrophages, but also present in neutrophils and epithelial cells. After culling of the positive goat, bulk tank milk tested negative to L. monocytogenes at the following controls.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that L. monocytogenes can establish a chronic, subclinical IMI in goats with high numbers of bacteria shed in milk, representing a source of contamination for the herd and its dairy products. This underscores the importance of frequently monitoring all dairy herds that sell directly milk and/or fresh cheese and indicates that a chronic L. monocytogenes IMI should also be considered as source of bacteria when bulk tank milk contamination is detected in a dairy goat farm.

Study on the prevalence of anaplasmosis and efficacy of different antiprotozoal drugs in goats at district Mirpurkhas, Sindh –Pakistan

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Anaplasmosis and efficacy of different antiprotozoal drugs in goats around the Mirpurkhas. A total of 300 goats were examined for the occurrence of Anaplasmosis. Anaplasma marginale was the only species identified from all positive goats and the highest prevalence of Anaplasmosis was recorded in Samaro (30%) and the lowest (8%) in Sindhri, district Mirpurkhas. The overall prevalence of anaplasmosis was recorded at 13.33%. The rate of infection was higher in females (17%) compared to males (9%). The age wise prevalence was recorded 14% in two years of age and 12% in 2 years and above of age. The most prominent clinical features in positive cases of anaplasmosis were recorded increased body temperature, respiration and pulse rate, with loss of condition and icterus. The disease positive animals were divided into four groups; A, B, C and D in order to determine the efficacy of different antiprotozoal drugs. The Imidocarb, Diminazine and Oxytetracycline drugs were administered to A, B and C groups respectively, on the standard dose by the recommendations of manufacturers. While the D group was kept as an untreated positive control. It was observed that maximum efficacy against Anaplasma marginale was achieved by the administration of Imidocarb (80%), followed by Diminazine (60%) and Oxytetracycline (30%). All animals of the infected control group (D) were remained positive and shown the increasing intensity of the infection and one goat was died in control group D due to the severity of the infection. Keywords: Anaplasmosis; Antiprotozoal drug’s efficacy; Goats; Prevalence http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2019.80043

Comparison of automatic peripheral blood smear to manual blood smear technique

Mendoza province, in central west Argentina, is considered among the high-risk provinces for vector transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. Extensive goat farming is common in large parts of rural Mendoza, and goats may act as a reservoir for this parasite. The objective of this study was to determine infection rates, parasite loads, and seasonal variation of these parameters in T. cruzi infection in goats from rural areas of three departments of Mendoza. A total of 349 peripheral blood samples with EDTA / guanidine were analyzed from goats on 11 farms (three in Lavalle, three in San Carlos, and five in Malargüe department) in spring of 2014, 2015, and 2016; and in fall of 2015 and 2016 (only Malargüe). DNA was extracted using a Phenol: Chloroform: Isoamyl protocol. The detection and quantification of T. cruzi was performed through qPCR amplification using satellite oligonucleotides. Of the 349 blood samples, 267 (77%) were positive, with parasite loads ranging between <0.10 and 10.90 par-eq/mL (median 0.10). In spring, frequencies of infection in the three departments ranged between 86% and 95%, but differences were not significant. Median parasite loads were higher in Lavalle than in the other departments, while those in goats from San Carlos were consistently low. The frequency of infection and parasite loads in Malargüe were significantly higher in spring than in fall. This seasonal variation may have been related to a reduced nutritional status and impaired immune response of goats in spring. In conclusion, the high proportion of positive goats confirms the persistence of T. cruzi in rural Mendoza.

First molecular detection of Theileria luwenshuni from goats in Myanmar.

Tick-borne intracellular protozoan parasites of the Theileria genus infect a wide range of both domestic and wild animals. In the present study, we describe the first PCR detection of Theileria luwenshuni in the blood of goats in Myanmar. Nested PCR targeting the Theileria 18S rRNA gene resulted in seven positive goats in central and northern Myanmar. Nucleotide sequencing of the PCR products revealed that all seven sequences were identical and showed 100% identity with T. luwenshuni sequences in GenBank from goats and sheep in China. Since T. luwenshuni parasites have recently been discovered and shown to have nationwide distribution in China, they might have been introduced into Myanmar via transboundary movement of infected domestic small ruminants and/or wild animals from China.

Cross sectional study for pestivirus infection in goats in southern Italy

Pestiviruses have a worldwide distribution where ruminants farming is extensive and infection in their hosts can vary from subclinical manifestations to severe clinical signs. Although biomolecular methods are successfully employed for pestiviruses identification, they require the presence of the virus at the time of sampling. Because persistent infection is unusual in goats and acute infection is transient, for a retrospective assessment serology is the most useful approach to evaluate pestiviruses spread among ruminants. The prevalence of pestiviruses in the Italian goat population was the main target of the study and the possible influence of the co-habitation with cattle on the seropositivity of goats was taken into account. A total of 7096 sera from healthy goats were tested using an indirect ELISA. The positive samples were confirmed with a virus neutralization (VN) test and were screened for BDV too. The ELISA assay identified 57 farms (33.13%) with positive goats and an overall seropositivity of 1.63%, higher in Calabria (1.74%, 95% CI 1.68% to 1.79%) than in Apulia (1.59%, 95% CI 1.52% to 1.66%). A higher variability among farms was observed, with a significant influence of multi-species (goat and cow) grazing. Despite the huge economic losses, the impact on small ruminant productions in Italy has not yet been assessed and pestivirus infection is largely underestimated and scarcely considered. Nevertheless, the focus on pestiviruses of small ruminants should be strengthened. Considering that pestivirus infections are often subclinical, serological surveillance, the prerequisite for the implementation of control programmes, should be strongly recommended and should be considered in any pestivirus eradication programme, especially in areas such as the Southern Italy, where small ruminants farming is predominant.

Clinical, pathological, and molecular features of classical and L-type atypical-BSE in goats.

Monitoring of small ruminants for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) has recently become more relevant after two natural scrapie suspected cases of goats were found to be positive for classical BSE (C-BSE). C-BSE probably established itself in this species unrecognized, undermining disease control measures. This opens the possibility that TSEs in goats may remain an animal source for human prion diseases. Currently, there are no data regarding the natural presence of the atypical BSE in caprines. Here we report that C-BSE and L-type atypical BSE (L-BSE) isolates from bovine species are intracerebrally transmissible to goats, with a 100% attack rate and a significantly shorter incubation period and survival time after C-BSE than after L-BSE experimental infection, suggesting a lower species barrier for classical agentin goat. All animals showed nearly the same clinical features of disease characterized by skin lesions, including broken hair and alopecia, and abnormal mental status. Histology and immunohistochemistry showed several differences between C-BSE and L-BSE infection, allowing discrimination between the two different strains. The lymphoreticular involvement we observed in the C-BSE positive goats argues in favour of a peripheral distribution of PrPSc similar to classical scrapie. Western blot and other currently approved screening tests detected both strains in the goats and were able to classify negative control animals. These data demonstrate that active surveillance of small ruminants, as applied to fallen stock and/or healthy slaughter populations in European countries, is able to correctly identify and classify classical and L-BSE and ultimately protect public health.

Prevalence and multi-locus genotyping of Giardia duodenalis from goats in Shaanxi province, northwestern China

Giardia duodenalis (syn. Giardia lamblia, Giardia intestinalis) is an important zoonotic parasite that parasitizes the gastro-intestines of humans and animals, with diarrhea as the most common clinical symptom. The goat has been indicated as one of the most important reservoirs of G. duodenalis for humans. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of G. duodenalis in goats in Shaanxi province, northwestern China. A total of 1311 faecal specimens were examined, and the overall prevalence was 7.1% (93/1311). Although all the meat, cashmere and dairy goats were positive for infection, the highest prevalence was found in cashmere goats (10.2%), followed by dairy (9.4%) and meat goats (2.0%). Negative correlation between age and prevalence was also observed, and the highest prevalence was detected in 0–2-month goats. Genetic analysis showed the presence of three assemblages, including two zoonotic (A and B) and one animal-adapted assemblage E, with E as the prevalent assemblage found in all breeds of positive goats. The zoonotic assemblage A was found in Guanzhong dairy and Shanbei cashmere goats, but B was only detected in Boar goats. Additionally, mixed assemblages E and A were also identified in two cashmere goats. Multi-locus genotyping (MLST) using the gene loci of the triosephosphate isomerase (tpi), b-giardin (bg) and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) identified four novel multi-locus genotypes (MLGs), including two assemblage E MLGs and two assemblage A MLGs. These results suggested that Boar, Guanzhong dairy and Shanbei cashmere goats in Shaanxi province would be potential reservoirs for human infections in this area, and this study also provided basic data for controlling G. duodenalis infection in goats as well as other hosts.

Prevalence of &lt;i&gt;Strongyle&lt;/i. ova in goats and comparative studies of some faecal culture techniques in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Gastrointestinal parasitism is one of the major health problems affecting productivity of small ruminants worldwide. A dry season study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Strongyle ova in goats and their faecal egg counts, as well as to compare different faecal culture methods for larval counts and identification. Out of 200 faecal samples examined, 114 were from male and 86 from female goats. An overall prevalence of 42(21%) for Strongyle ova was observed with a mean EPG of 91.67 + 6.12. The prevalence was higher in the male 26(22.8%) than in female 16(18.6%) with mean EPG of 90.38 ± 7.35 and 93.75 ± 11.06 respectively (p &gt; 0.05). It was also higher in adults 38(22.22%) compared with the young 4(13.79%). All positive goats were of the Sahelian breed. No significant difference (p &gt; 0.05%) was observed between sexes and age but a significant difference (p &lt; 0.05) was observed between breeds. The infection was higher from samples collected in the abattoir 36 (25.35%) compared with 6(18.75%) in Mairi Village and none was positive from the University of Maiduguri Farm. A significant difference (p&lt;0.05) was thus observed between locations. Only Strongyle ova was seen throughout the study and on subjection of the positive samples to larval recovery, Oesophagostomum columbianum was the only larva recovered. The test tube method yielded the highest larval recovery with mean larval count of 9.14 + 0.72 (p&lt;0.05), compared with bottle with no charcoal; bottle with charcoal and Baermann’s techniques.Keywords: Goats, Strongyle ova, Faecal Culture Techniques, Prevalence

Goat paratuberculosis in Shiraz: Histopathological and molecular approaches.

In the present study, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) was investigated in goats slaughtered in Shiraz abattoir using histopathological examinations and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Ilium and mesenteric lymph node samples from 66 suspected goat carcasses to Johne’s disease were collected. Among 66 examined slaughtered goats, nine (13.63%) goats were positive for MAP in both histopathological and PCR examinations. Eight goats were positive in PCR method while no lesion related to Johne’s disease was observed in their histopathological sections. All positive goats in histopathological examination were also positive in PCR. Based on the results of PCR, the detection rate of MAP in Shiraz abattoir was 25.80% (17 goats). According to the present findings, although both histopathological and PCR methods are appropriate for detecting Johne’s disease, PCR is more sensitive than histopathological examination.

Transmission of tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium caprae between dairy sheep and goats

Increasing number of caprine tuberculosis (TB) reports grant the consideration of this zoonosis as an emerging disease that can play a role in the epidemiology of bovine TB in endemic areas. An outbreak of TB was detected in a caprine/ovine dairy mixed herd. Tuberculin skin test positive goats and ewes were euthanized and subsequent postmortem investigations were performed. Mycobacterium caprae (spoligotype profile SB0157) was isolated from tuberculous lesions detected in both sheep and goats. Our findings evidenced the direct transmission of the infection between both species elucidating that not only goats but also sheep may act as domestic reservoirs of TB compromising the eradication of TB in cattle. The results have implications for animal TB epidemiology and public health risk management.

Short communication: Passive shedding of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in commercial dairy goats in Brazil

Goat farming is a low-cost alternative to dairy production in developing countries. In Brazil, goat production has increased in recent years due in part to the implementation of programs encouraging this activity. Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the causative agent of paratuberculosis, a disease that causes chronic granulomatous enteritis in ruminants, but MAP transmission dynamics are still poorly understood in goats. In a previously published study of our research group, 10 dairy goat farms (467 animals) from Minas Gerais state were analyzed for MAP detection; 2 fecal cultures and 11 milk samples tested positive for MAP by conventional PCR and were confirmed by sequencing. Because no clinical signs were observed over 1 yr of monitoring, we hypothesized that these MAP-positive goats could be passive shedders. Thus, in the present study, 4 positive goats (4/13) from the previous study were purchased and feces and milk samples were collected for evaluation (twice, with an interval of 3 mo between tests) by culture of MAP, IS900 PCR, or both. All analyses were negative for MAP. At the last time point, blood samples were collected for ELISA, the animals were killed, and tissues collected for tissue culture and histopathology. At necropsy, no macroscopic lesions related to paratuberculosis were observed. Similarly, no histological changes were observed and MAP in samples stained by Ziehl-Neelsen was not detected. These animals were characterized as potential passive shedders with upward contamination of the teat canal by MAP. This is the first report of the passive shedding phenomenon in goats in Brazil and it highlights the importance of identifying these animals for control programs and to ensure the quality of dairy products.

Low fraction of the 222K PrP variant in the protease-resistant moiety of PrPres in heterozygous scrapie positive goats.

The presence of lysine (K) at codon 222 has been associated with resistance to classical scrapie in goats, but few scrapie cases have been identified in 222Q/K animals. To investigate the contribution of the 222K variant to PrPres formation in natural and experimental Q/K scrapie cases, we applied an immunoblotting method based on the use of two different monoclonal antibodies, F99/97.6.1 and SAF84, chosen for their different affinities to 222K and 222Q PrP variants. Our finding that PrPres seems to be formed nearly totally by the 222Q variant provides evidence that the 222K PrP variant confers resistance to conversion to PrPres formation and reinforces the view that this mutation has a protective role against classical scrapie in goats.

The unexpected discovery of Brucella abortus Buck 19 vaccine in goats from Ecuador underlines the importance of biosecurity measures.

Very few, mostly old, and only preliminary serological studies of brucellosis in goats exist in Ecuador. In order to assess the current epidemiological situation, we performed a cross-sectional serological study in the goat populations of Carchi (n = 160 animals), Pichincha (n = 224 animals), and Loja provinces (n = 2024 animals). Only two positive serological results (RB negative and SAT-EDTA ≥400IU/ml) were obtained in lactating goats from the same farm in Quito (Pichincha province). Additionally, milk was sampled from 220 animals in Pichincha province. The present study indicates a low apparent prevalence in Pichincha province and absence in Carchi and Loja provinces. A total of 25 positive milk ring tests (MRT) were obtained in Pichincha province yielding a prevalence of MRT of 11.16%. Subsequent culture was performed on the positive MRT samples. All results were negative, apart from a single sample, obtained from a serologically positive goat in Quito, that was positive for Brucella abortus strain 19 (B19). Several hypotheses are forwarded concerning this unexpected result. The most likely hypothesis is the possible accidental use of a needle, previously used for vaccination of cattle with the said vaccine, for the administration of drug treatment to the goat. This hypothesis underlines the necessity of biosecurity measures to prevent this type of accidents.

An experimental study on the vertical transmission of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus from naturally infected females to their offspring

Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis is a cosmopolitan disease that affects small ruminant production and causes economic losses. Although the virus has been identified in different parts of the female reproductive tract, including the uterus, there is a lack of studies that discussed its vertical transmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the transmission of caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) from naturally infected females to their offspring. Five known positive goats for CAEV were artificially inseminated with fresh semen obtained from a known negative male for CAEV. After parturition, twelve kids were followed for 12 months, and the vertical transmission of CAEV was studied by applying agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID), competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) and nested-polimerase chain reaction (nested-PCR). From a total of 12 kids, six were positive in nested-PCR. None of them was positive in cELISA and AGID. This study demonstrated the vertical transmission of caprine arthritis encephalitis virus to the kids. The presence of infected females must be avoided due to the rapid spread of the virus and the economic losses associated with the infection.

Goat farm management and Brucella serological test among goat keepers and livestock officers, 2011–2012, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, southern Thailand

Brucellosis, a zoonotic disease particularly affecting goats, emerged in Thailand in 2003, resulting in both an occupational hazard for goat keepers and livestock officers, and production losses. Farm management practices have been identified as risk factors associated with Brucella sero-positivity in many studies. Our finding in this study should be considered in order to strengthen the system of biosecurity control in farm animals as one health approach. The objectives of the study were to describe the distribution of potential risk factors by types of goat farms and to document the prevalence of human Brucella sero-positivity among goat keepers and livestock officers in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2012. The study population included three types of goat farms: standard, community enterprise and private goat farms that were located in Nakhon Si Thammmarat Province in southern Thailand. Information on whether the farm had any Brucella sero-positivity goats since 2011 was retrieved from the local livestock office records. Information on farming management was also traced back to 2011. Field researchers collected information from goat keepers of the selected farms using a structured questionnaire. Goat keepers on all farms pre-identified (January to June 2012) as having had at least one positive goat were considered to have been exposed. Goat keepers on a random sample of farms having all goats with negative results were considered to be unexposed. Venous blood samples were collected from goat keepers exposed and unexposed and from livestock officers and the samples were tested by IgG ELISA. Statistical analysis was done under the complex survey design in R software.Fourteen standard farms, 66 community enterprise farms and 68 private farms participated in the study; 82.4% (122/148) used public pasture and 53.4% (79/148) shared breeder goats with other farms. Farm management practices corresponding to pre-identified risk factors were more common in private farms. Large herd size (≥51 goats) and having dogs and/or rats on the farm were significantly associated with Brucella infection in animals (P<0.05). Similar proportions of goat keepers in positive goat farm and livestock officers were positive for Brucella antibody (8.3% and 8.8% respectively).Several goat farming management practices in the study area may increase the risk of Brucella infection in animals. Livestock officers in the area have a high risk of being infected with Brucella. Improving goat farm biosecurity practices in needed to reduce the risk of brucellosis in this area.

HIGH SEROPREVALENCE OF BLUETONGUE IN SHEEP, GOATS AND CATTLE IN ASSIUT GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

A total of 552 serum samples of sheep, goats and cattle from different localities at Assiut governorate, Egypt were screened for qualitative analysis of the BTV antibodies using a commercial competitive ELISA (cELISA) kit. The results showed an overall percentage of BTV positive sheep, goats and cattle serum samples were 41.86%, 24% and 85.42% respectively. A highest percentage of seropositivity was found inArab El- Awamer farm (100%), followed by Abnoub( 63. 64%), Sedfa(11. 43%), veterinary teaching hospital (11.11%), Aboteeg (3.57%) and Bani zeed el akrad (0% ) respectively. From examined sera all over the four years from 2012 to 2015 indicates prevalence of BTV antibodies by ( 62. 69%) during the non hot months and (10%) during the hot months, Female ruminants were more susceptible to the infection (61.29%) than male( 21.67%). The association between sex and prevalence of BT disease among ruminants observed in table (4). The results showed that the prevalence of BT was higher in female (61.29%) than male (21.67%). In conclusion, this study confirms the presence of blue tongue infection in Assiut Governorate, and cELISA were found to be sensitive and effective for screening of BTV group specific antibodies. The disease should be notifying its presence in Egypt since it was free from this disease and more studies should be attempets to estimate the serotype of blue tongue virus