Seroprevalence of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia and field performance of inactivated vaccine in Borana pastoral area, southern Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted between September 2012 and May 2013 in three Districts of Borana pastoral area to determine seroprevalence of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) and assess field performance of inactivated commercial vaccine, produced by the National Veterinary Institute (NVI) in Ethiopia, against CCPP. Both pre and post vaccination sera samples were tested using competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Out of 510 examined sera, 161 samples were positive for CCPP, giving an overall seroprevalence of 31.6% (95% CI = 27.57-35.64%) in the study area. Seroprevalence of 35.2, 35.1 and 25% were recorded in Arero, Dhas and Yabello districts, respectively. However, there was no significant difference (χ2=5.56, P=0.062) in seropositivity among the three districts and between male and female goats (χ2=0.068, P=0.794) examined in this study. On the other hand, the differences in seroprevalence among the age categories were statistically significant (χ2=24.48, p<0.0001). A rise in antibody (seroconversion) was observed after field vaccination of goats with inactivated CCPP vaccine and a total of 253 of the 414 examined sera samples were positive for Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp) specific antibodies, thus 61.1% of goats seroconverted following vaccination. Comparison of Mccp specific antibodies in the goat population before and after vaccination indicated that the number of positive reactors increased significantly (P<0.0001) following CCPP vaccination. Seropositivity following vaccination was analyzed among the three age groups and statistically significant differences (χ2=45.48, P<0.0001) were recorded. The change in the serum antibody after vaccination was found to be higher in younger and adult aged goats than old aged goats. In conclusion, the present study indicates that CCPP is one of the major goat health problems in Borana pastoral area which warrants appropriate measures to be in place towards the prevention and control of the disease. Moreover, field vaccination of goats by inactivated CCPP vaccine induced seropositivity in majority of the inoculated goats. Future controlled experimental studies with challenge infection after vaccination need to be conducted for further evaluation of the vaccine efficacy.

Epidemiological investigations of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia in selected districts of Borana zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

“…For unvaccinated population of goats this figure is high and requires attention of the veterinary and livestock authority of the area to minimize the effect CCPP has on livelihoods in the community. The overall prevalence of CCPP in the present study was higher than the national prevalence estimated from pooled sero-prevalence (25.7%) through a systematic review by Asmare et al (2016) and is largely in agreement with the previous findings from Ethiopia (Lakew et al 2014) in which 31.6% of goats in Borana were found to be positive to CCPP. Similar observations were also made earlier in goats at an export abattoir at Bishoftu, Ethiopia (Eshetu et al 2007), and Southern Ethiopia, in Tigray and Afar (Hadush et al 2009), and in Beetal goats in Pakistan (Sherif et al 2012; Hussain et al 2012).…”

“…The estimation of sample size for epidemiological investigation using serological assay was done using the formula given by Thrusfield (2005) considering 95% confidence level, expected prevalence of 31.6% (Lakew et al 2014) and 5% absolute precision.…”

“…In Ethiopia, goats play a unique role in the livelihood of pastoral communities, especially for women, as they provide milk and dairy products and are a source of income for the family to cover school fees for children and other family expenses. Despite the presence of a massive goat population and their important socio-economic role, health of small ruminants in general and goats in particular has received little attention so far (Lakew et al 2014). Only few studies have been carried out in the area, but these showed that CCPP is prevalent and causes considerable mortality in goats.…”

Economic impact of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia and cost–benefit analysis of the vaccination programmes based on a one‐year continuous monitoring of flocks in the arid and semi‐arid lands of Kenya

“…This will require additional means at the level of the vaccine production unit but also a better service delivery with a proper cold chain, a good programming to vaccinate the goats during the rainy seasons (when they're in better shape), a proper training of the field practitioners. An effective animal health extension model for the livestock keepers is also necessary to better organize timely vaccination campaigns and establish a proper disease surveillance system in the area (Lipner & Brown, ; Matios et al, ). In line with the Maputo agreement (World Bank, 2010), governmental funds should be available locally to cover the costs of the vaccination campaigns and being independent of the international donor funds that are not always available at the right moment.…”

“…This represents a major challenge as the resources of the veterinary services are limited and local conditions cannot guarantee a proper cold chain (Lipner & Brown, ). The health and nutritional statutes of the animal and the adherence to the vaccination protocol can also affect the overall vaccination effectiveness (Matios et al, ). The effectiveness of the vaccination regarding disease control and eradication also depends on the vaccination coverage, which is quite low in the area.…”