Small Ruminant Lentivirus Infection in Sheep and Goats in North Portugal: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors
Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) are transmitted among ovine and caprine species. This disease is a severe problem for small ruminant production, not only for animals’ well-being but also for flocks’ efficiency. The main aim of this research was to quantify the seroprevalence and associated risk...
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Pathogens |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/12/6/829 |
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| author | João Jacob-Ferreira Ana Cláudia Coelho Ana Grau Vila Delia Lacasta Hélder Quintas |
| author_facet | João Jacob-Ferreira Ana Cláudia Coelho Ana Grau Vila Delia Lacasta Hélder Quintas |
| author_sort | João Jacob-Ferreira |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) are transmitted among ovine and caprine species. This disease is a severe problem for small ruminant production, not only for animals’ well-being but also for flocks’ efficiency. The main aim of this research was to quantify the seroprevalence and associated risk factors for SRLV infection in the northern region of Portugal. Samples were collected from a total of 150 flocks, of which 129 (86.0%; 95% CI: 80.67%–91.33%) had at least one seropositive animal. Out of 2607 individual blood samples, 1074 (41.2%) were positive for SRLVs. Risk factors associated with SRLV infection were species (caprine), age (>2 years old), flock size (>100 animals), production system (intensive), food production system (milk), type of activity (professional), participation in livestock competitions (yes), replacement young ewe bought (yes), and natural feeding management (yes). This knowledge empowers the implementation of effective preventive measures. Overall, biosecurity measures should be promoted and implemented with the main aim of reducing viral transmission and reducing the prevalence of this disease. We recognise that government authorities should promote and audit voluntary control and eradication programs in small ruminant flocks in the region studied. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:03:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1c4037247fed4f7abcc1fdb4ab9a6ef6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:03:55Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj.art-1c4037247fed4f7abcc1fdb4ab9a6ef62023-11-18T12:00:32ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172023-06-0112682910.3390/pathogens12060829Small Ruminant Lentivirus Infection in Sheep and Goats in North Portugal: Seroprevalence and Risk FactorsJoão Jacob-Ferreira0Ana Cláudia Coelho1Ana Grau Vila2Delia Lacasta3Hélder Quintas4Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, PortugalAnimal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, PortugalServicio de Sanidad Animal, Dirección General de Producción Agropecuaria e Infraestructuras Agrarias, Consejería de Agricultura y Ganadería, Junta de Castilla y León, 47014 Valladolid, SpainAnimal Pathology Department, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza C/Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, SpainMountain Research Center (CIMO), Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB), Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, PortugalSmall ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) are transmitted among ovine and caprine species. This disease is a severe problem for small ruminant production, not only for animals’ well-being but also for flocks’ efficiency. The main aim of this research was to quantify the seroprevalence and associated risk factors for SRLV infection in the northern region of Portugal. Samples were collected from a total of 150 flocks, of which 129 (86.0%; 95% CI: 80.67%–91.33%) had at least one seropositive animal. Out of 2607 individual blood samples, 1074 (41.2%) were positive for SRLVs. Risk factors associated with SRLV infection were species (caprine), age (>2 years old), flock size (>100 animals), production system (intensive), food production system (milk), type of activity (professional), participation in livestock competitions (yes), replacement young ewe bought (yes), and natural feeding management (yes). This knowledge empowers the implementation of effective preventive measures. Overall, biosecurity measures should be promoted and implemented with the main aim of reducing viral transmission and reducing the prevalence of this disease. We recognise that government authorities should promote and audit voluntary control and eradication programs in small ruminant flocks in the region studied.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/12/6/829sheepgoatlentivirusesSRLVseroprevalencerisk factors |
| spellingShingle | João Jacob-Ferreira Ana Cláudia Coelho Ana Grau Vila Delia Lacasta Hélder Quintas Small Ruminant Lentivirus Infection in Sheep and Goats in North Portugal: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Pathogens sheep goat lentiviruses SRLV seroprevalence risk factors |
| title | Small Ruminant Lentivirus Infection in Sheep and Goats in North Portugal: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors |
| title_full | Small Ruminant Lentivirus Infection in Sheep and Goats in North Portugal: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors |
| title_fullStr | Small Ruminant Lentivirus Infection in Sheep and Goats in North Portugal: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Small Ruminant Lentivirus Infection in Sheep and Goats in North Portugal: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors |
| title_short | Small Ruminant Lentivirus Infection in Sheep and Goats in North Portugal: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors |
| title_sort | small ruminant lentivirus infection in sheep and goats in north portugal seroprevalence and risk factors |
| topic | sheep goat lentiviruses SRLV seroprevalence risk factors |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/12/6/829 |
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