[The occurrence and distribution of maedi-visna virus infection in lower Austrian sheep breeding establishments].
In a period of one year blood samples of 374 sheep of Lower Austrian flocks were examined in intervals of two months for antibodies against Maedi-Visna (MV). Further on specific attention was paid to the prevalence of MV-infection in the flocks. The antibody-titers were determined by means of agar gel-immunodiffusion test. In 5 (23.8%) of 21 flocks 45 (12.0%) of the sheep were seropositive. Seroprevalence varied within the examined breeds: 19 (27.1%) of 70 Karakul-sheep, 18 (28.1%) of 64 East-Friesian milk-sheep, 7 (9.4%) of 74 Merino sheep and 1 (0.9%) of 111 mountain sheep. None of 55 black-headed sheep showed MV seropositive reaction. Clinical symptoms of Maedi-disease were especially observed in milk-sheep and for the first time in Austria in Karakul-sheep. Unfavorable housing conditions (insufficient room, bad climatic conditions), breed specific behavior patterns (crowding of Karakul-sheep) and a high prevalence of MV infections promote a high incidence the disease.
Baumgartner
W
W
II. Medizinischen Universitätsklinik für Klauentiere der Veterinärmedizinischen Universität Wien.
Reckinger
M
M
Pernthaner
A
A
Leitold
B
B
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D011021:Pneumonia, Progressive Interstitial, of Sheep / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012756:Sheep; D014790:Visna-maedi virus / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral
Zum Vorkommen und zur Ausbreitung der Maedi-Visna-Virusinfektion in niederösterreichischen Schafzuchtbetrieben.