Incidence of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus in sheep and goat as detected by immuno-capture ELISA (Ic ELISA)

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious disease of domestic and wild small ruminants. Rapid, sensitive and specific laboratory assay is useful to enable timely implementation of appropriate control to restrict the spread of disease. The present study reports observations from 50 laboratory confirmed outbreaks of PPR and provides details of the presence or otherwise of PPR virus (PPRV) in 427 tissue/organ samples from small ruminants. Most of the samples used for the detection of PPR viral antigen were derived from all major regions within the country; however, these samples may not be a true representation of the target population still it provided a lot more information. Monoclonal antibody-based diagnostic kit manufactured by Biological Diagnostic Supplies Ltd., Flow Laboratories and Institute for Animal Health Pirbright, Surrey, England, were used for the detection of PPR viral antigen (immuno-capture ELISA). Findings suggested that the disease outbreaks were more severe in goats than sheep and the frequency of disease outbreaks was greater between the months of January to April as compared to other periods of the year and it was maximum in month of March (almost 33%). Based on the data of 50 outbreaks (427 samples), the prevalence of PPR in small ruminants in Pakistan was 40.98%. A greater number of positive cases were observed in the southern and northern parts of the country (30–60%) as compared to west and south-west (10–30%). These findings may be correlated with variations in the sheep and goat husbandry practices within different geographic regions and the topography of different areas. The study indicated the scenario of virus circulation in the population and prevalence in actual outbreaks situation, which may be kept in mind while deciding the vaccination strategy for the control of disease. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.