Prevalence Estimates of Antibodies Towards Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in Small Ruminants in Uganda

Abstract

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in Uganda with control strategies focusing on vaccination of cattle, while small ruminants are largely ignored. In order for Uganda to establish effective control strategies, it is crucial that the epidemiology of the disease is fully understood. This study summarizes results of serological investigations of sheep and goats for antibodies to FMDV from four districts in 2006 following an FMD outbreak in the region and from an attempted comprehensive random sampling in two districts in 2007. Antibodies were quantified and serotyped using competitive ELISA for antibodies towards non-structural proteins (NSP) and structural proteins towards serotype O, and blocking ELISA for antibodies towards the seven serotypes of FMD virus (FMDV). In 2006, sheep and goats in Bushenyi and Isingiro districts were free from antibodies towards FMDV, while herds in Kasese and Mbarara districts excluding Kahendero village were all positive for antibodies towards NSP and SP-O. In 2007, mean prevalence estimates of antibodies towards FMDV NSP was 14% in goats and 22% in sheep in Kasese district, while Bushenyi was still free. The difference between these two districts probably reflects different levels of FMDV challenge attributed to the variation in exposure rates which again in part may be as a result of the differing husbandry practices. Contrary to 2006, with clear antibodies towards serotype O, the serotype-specificity of the antibodies was less clear in 2007, as antibodies towards both serotype O and SAT serotypes were identified. Our results show that goats and sheep are infected during FMD outbreaks, and that they may be useful for determining the serotype of FMD outbreaks in Uganda, if they are sampled shortly after an outbreak.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for peste des petits ruminants and selected differential diagnosis in sheep and goats in Tanzania

“…FMDV causes a less severe disease in small ruminants compared with large ruminants [54]; however, the oral lesions sometimes seen even in small ruminants make FMD an important differential diagnosis of PPR, especially in light of the attempt to eradicate PPR [7]. A study in neighbouring Uganda found a seroprevalence of 14% in goats and 22% in sheep [55]. Seroprevalence of FMD in buffalo and cattle in Tanzania is high.…”

Serosurveillance of foot and mouth disease in Karnataka state, India: a 3 years study

“…In such cases, testing for antibodies to viral non-structural proteins (NSPs) is used to monitor infection or virus circulation [7,12,21]. Serological surveys have been used in FMD-endemic countries such as Thailand [10], Cameroon [5], Taiwan [6], Lao PDR [3], Uganda [1], Egypt [19], Bhutan [11] and Cambodia [28]. In India, serological survey is being carried out under a national programme to determine the prevalence of FMD as well as to assess the implementation and effectiveness of FMD-CP.…”

Application of the Ceditest® FMDV type O and FMDV-NS enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for detection of antibodies against Foot-and-mouth disease virus in selected livestock and wildlife species in Uganda

“…Optical density values (OD) were determined using a dual wavelength ELISA reader c at 620 nm and 450 nm. Results were expressed as OD% (ODP: ODsample in percent of ODnegative controls), 4 and cutoffs were set at 50%. Selected samples, mostly positive for antibodies against NSPs, were screened at dilution 1:5 using an in-house SPBE for antibodies against FMDV serotype O (SPBE-O) with a cutoff of 50% as previously described.…”

“…4 Testing for antibodies against FMDV was done using the NSP a and SP-O b tests according to the manufacturer's instructions. Optical density values (OD) were determined using a dual wavelength ELISA reader c at 620 nm and 450 nm.…”

“…In addition, the SP-O test was compared to a solid phase blocking ELISA (SPBE) for detection of antibodies against FMDV serotype O. 4 …”