Investigation of seroprevalence of maedi-visna disease in sheep flocks in Afyonkarahisar province

Abstract

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to determine the presence of Maedi-Visna Vi-rus (MVV) infection in sheep in Afyonkarahisar province serologically and toanalyze the risk factors associated with MVV infection in the region.Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 248 serum samples were randomlycollected from 22 sheep flocks considering the epidemiological sample sizefrom the region between May 2016 and April 2018. Collected samples weretested with the ELISA kit for MVV specific antibodies. Potential MVV risk fac-tors were evaluated statistically by univariate logistic regression analysis.Results: The seropositivity in the ensampled animals was found to be 5.65%(14/248), and it was 13.63% on the basis of flock (3/22). Seropositivity wasdetermined to be 3.94% and 13.33% in males and females, respectively. Onthe basis of animals, there was a statistically significant relationship betweenthe presence of goat in the flock and gender and seropositivity of the diseaseinfection (p <0.05).Conclusion: Flocks in which sheep with persistent MV infection with a viraldisease which is characterized by slow progress followed by a gradual increasein severity and results in death leading to economic losses in the sheep sectorare detected, should be monitored periodically for viral factors leading to eco-nomic losses. Considering the results of this study, it is thought that analyzingepidemiology of MV infection in flocks through regular monitoring and deve-loping strategies for controlling it would be useful.