Epidemiology of cattle respiratory infection in Gezira State, Sudan: Serological evidence of adenovirus 3 infection

Nada E. M¹; Intisar K. S²; Selma B.E3 ; Ali Y. H²

¹Veterinary Research Laboratory, P. O. Box 555,Wad Medani, Gezira State, Sudan. ²Virology Dep.Veterinary Research Institute, P. O. Box 8067, Khartoum, Sudan. 3 Molecular Biology Dep.Veterinary Research Institute, P. O. Box 8067, Khartoum, Sudan.

Abstract :

In this study, the epidemiology of cattle respiratory infection in Gezira State and the prevalence of BAV-3 were studied. Collected data about the reported condemned lungs due to pneumonia in slaughter houses in Gezira State during 2005 -2009 was statistically analyzed. A total of 22953 (6.4%) lungs were condemned during 2005- 2009, the highest percentage of condemnation was seen in autumn (36%) then summer (35%). Most of the reported cases were during April and September (11%). there was significant difference between seasons (P=0.000). The reported cattle cases diagnosed as having pneumonia in Wad Medani Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Gezira State during 2005-2009 were 209 out of 875 animals brought to the clinics (23.9%). There was no significant difference between seasons in pneumonia cases (P=0.967). Out of 287 sera samples tested by indirect ELISA for BAV-3 antibodies, 263 (91.6%) were found positive. There was a significant difference between age groups (P =0.001) but there was no significant difference between different breeds (P = 0.839), sex (P = 0.088) and regions (P = 0.839). In calves showing respiratory signs, BAV-3 antigen was detected in 16 (36.4 %) of nasal swabs while BAV-3 antibodies were detected in 35 (79.5%) of serum samples. It was concluded that respiratory infection in cattle is widely distributed in Gezira State. It is thought to be a major cause of economic loss in the cattle industry and BAV-3 is a common viral infection in large cattle herds. Keywords: Adenovirus antibodies, ELISA, Cattle, Sudan