Serological evidence of equine arteritis virus in donkeys in South Africa.
This paper reports the first serological evidence of exposure of donkeys to equine arteritis virus. Seven hundred and thirty-four serum samples collected between 1989 and 1992 from donkeys in different areas of South Africa were examined for the presence of antibodies against this virus by a microneutralization test. Seventeen percent of serum samples tested positive. The distribution of seropositive animals varied from none in the western Cape Province and the Transvaal Highveld to 30% in the northern Transvaal. The country-wide distribution of serologically positive donkeys suggests a longstanding presence of the virus in South Africa.
Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa.
J T
JT
Paweska
B J
BJ
Barnard
D000818:Animals; D001167:Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D007240:Equartevirus; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006736:Horses; D010527:Perissodactyla / Q000382:microbiology*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*