Investigation of Rift Valley Fever Virus Infection Serologically and Pathologically in Aborted Cattle, Sheep, Goats and in Fetuses

Abstract

In this study, Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV) infection was searched serologically and pathologically in cattle (178 Holstein), sheep (160 native), goats (66 ordinary goats, 98 Honamli goats, 16 Saanen goats) with an abortion history and in unborn cattle (8), sheep (24) and goat (5) fetus. Samples were collected between July 2009 and September 2010. As a result of studying specific antibodies to RVFV by using the c-ELISA method in blood serum samples collected from cattle, sheep and goats suffering abortion, seropositivity was identified in 7 cattle (7/178; 3.93%), 4 sheep (4/160;2.50%) and 18 goats (18/180;10.0%). 18 seropositive goats were distributed according to race as 13 ordinary goats (19.70%), 2 Honamli goats (2.04%) and 3 Saanen goats (18.75%). When liver, spleen and brain samples of the unborn fetus of cattle, sheep and goats were studied histopathologically, no pathological findings on RVFV disease were obtained. Consequently, in this study, where RVFV infection in cattle, sheep and goats raised in Western Mediterranean Region of Turkey was serologically revealed, it was concluded that RVFV did not take place in the aetiology of abortion cases in relevant species.