Serological survey to determine the occurrence of malignant catarrhal fever infection in the Japanese small ruminant population from northern districts.
Ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2) causes sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF), and is responsible for economic losses in cattle and other susceptible species around the world. A survey of 154 serum samples from 14 flocks in 3 Japanese prefectures (Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate) was undertaken between 2007 and 2008 to test for antibodies to OvHV-2. OvHV-2 was present in 56 sheep and 2 goats, with 37.66% of samples having a positive reaction using a serum neutralization test. The immune reaction reported in goats could result from Caprine herpesvirus-2. These results indicate that sheep are reservoirs for OvHV-2 in the field in Japan, and they might transmit the virus to susceptible cattle and wild fauna.
Department of Veterinary Microbiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, 3-18-8 Ueda, Morioka, Iwate 020-8550, Japan. giangasp@gmail.com
Massimo
M
Giangaspero
Giovanni
G
Savini
Takeshi
T
Osawa
Ryô
R
Harasawa
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D006041:Goats; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008304:Malignant Catarrh / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary*; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology