A serological and virological investigation of the pestivirus infections in sheep and goats in the Aydin and Izmir provinces

The objective of this study was serological and virological investigation of Pestivirus infections in sheep and goats in the Aydin and Izmir provinces. In the study, 460 serum samples were collected from 128 goats and 332 sheep. The presence of antibodies in the blood serum samples was investigated using NADL, the reference strain for Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in Virus Neutralization Tests. In total, 348 whole blood samples collected from 116 goats and 232 sheep were tested for the presence of the Pestivirus specific antigens using commercially available Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) (Serelisa® BVD p80ag Mono Indirect, Synbiotics, Europe, Lyon, France). In the study, 42.97% (55/128) of the goat and 47.29% (157/332) of the sheep samples were found to be seropositive. Species in sheep and goats in this study, no statistically significant difference in seropositivity rates based on geographic location and age. But the sheep was concluded that the statistical effect on breed and sex of the infection.Compared to the ram in the ewe antibody positive rate was higher (P <0.05). In the goat breed and sex differences were not statistically significant. SN50 values were 1/5 in 37.26%, 1/10 in 33.96%, 1/20 in 14.15%, 1/40 in 5.18%, 1/80 in 5.66% and 1/160 in 3.77% of the 212 seropositive serum samples. The whole blood samples tested were negative for the antigen. Although no viremia was detected in any of the sheep and goat tested in this study, the 45.87% (211/460) rate of seropositivity shows that Pestiviruses may be circulating in the region and may cause significant economic losses. Therefore, the thought of this infection in the abortion case, serological and virological controls periodically made, it was concluded that the results of the preventive measures taken as necessary. In conclusion, this study, Aydin and İzmir in the sheep and goat significant economic losses, causing the pestivirus infection, the presence of a determined and abortion in cases of this infection also be considered, periodically serological and virological controls and the preventive measures to be necessary, it was concluded.