Serological evidence of coronavirus infection in mithuns (Bos frontalis) from India.
Studies conducted on mithuns at the National Research Centre on Mithun, and mithuns found in free-ranging conditions in Nagaland, India, revealed that the overall prevalence of antibodies to coronavirus was 80% (95% confidence interval [CI] 77-83) when detected by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The highest seroprevalence (92%; 95% CI 89-95) was found in mithuns above three years of age, and the lowest (53%; 95% CI 36-70) in mithuns of 7 to 12 months old (P = 0.00005). The study also revealed a higher degree of positivity (++++) in mithuns above three years old than in those below one year. No statistically significant difference in seroprevalence was observed between male (80%; 95% CI 75-85) and female mithuns (80%; 95% CI 76-84). The seroprevalence was found to be higher (92%; 95% CI 89-95) in mithuns reared in semi-intensive systems compared with those kept under free-ranging conditions (56%; 95% CI 49-63; P = 0.003). This is probably the first serological evidence of coronavirus infection in mithuns. The possible role of adults in the epidemiology of coronavirus infection in mithuns is also discussed.
Rajkhowa
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National Research Centre on Mithun, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Jharnapani, Nagaland 797 106, India.
Rajkhowa
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Hazarika
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GC
D000367:Age Factors; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017934:Coronavirus / Q000276:immunology*; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors
D000914:Antibodies, Viral