Investigation on epidemiological importance of anti PPR virus antibodies in large ruminants after the eradication of rinderpest virus globally

Abstract

Rinderpest and PPR are two important viruses of the Genus Morbillivirus which affects large ruminants and small ruminants respectively. The aim of the present study was to explore the epidemiological importance of anti PPR virus anti bodies in large ruminants after the global eradication of Rinderpest by 2011. In the present study we investigated the seropositivity of large animals like cattle, buffalo and horses to PPRV in five districts (Udaipur, Dungarpur, Rajsamand, Banswara and Chittorgarh) of southern Rajasthan, where the virus is endemic among small ruminant population. A total of 604 serum samples (cattle, n=361; buffaloes, n=215; horses, n=28) were screened using monoclonal antibody based competitive ELISA kit. Potential supplementary risk factors were also analyzed for their association with seroprevalence of PPR antibodies in large animals. The overall seroprevalence of PPR virus antibody in cattle and buffaloes were (7.48%) and (10.70%) respectively and the horse serum samples were negative for anti PPRV antibodies. The raising type, grazing management and sharing of common pastures and water sources with small ruminants have significant effect on the prevalence of antibodies in large animals. The mixed farming practices provided ideal opportunities for the transmission of viruses between different small ruminant populations as well as between large and small ruminants. Importantly, we highlight the utility of large ruminant serosurveillance as marker for the presence of wild-type virus in areas where small ruminants are regularly vaccinated and likelihood emergence of PPR in new hosts.