No abstract

Aim: Four viral pathogens, bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), and bovine herpes virus type 1 (BHV-1), bovine parainfluenza type 3 virus (PI-3V), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) are mainly associated with bovine respiratory diseases that cause major economic losses in the dairy cattle industry. This study aimed to document exposure of cattle in Saudi Arabia to infectious BVDV, BHV-1, PI-3V and BRSV viruses in non vaccinated cattle in order to obtain epidemiological and immunological information. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 460 random serum samples obtained from non vaccinated cattle in five districts (Riyadh, Eastern Province, Jizan, Najran, Asir) of Saudi Arabia between January to March 2011. These samples were tested for presence of antibodies against BVDV, BHV-1, BRSV and PIV-3 by commercial indirect ELISA kits. Results: Our findings displayed that Seropositivity rates were 26 % for BVD, 17.4 % for BHV-1, 69.1 % for PI-3V and 75.6 % for BRSV in the sampled population. In addition, coinfections with more than one virus were considerably common among non-vaccinated dairy cattle. Conclusion: These results indicate that exposure to these agents is common within the study areas. Preventive and control measures against these infectious agents should therefore be adopted. [Vet World 2013; 6(1.000): 1-4

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Code chapter on FMD includes camelids as being susceptible species to FMD similar to cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. A total of 376 field camel sera, collected from different regions of Riyadh and AlQassim Province in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, were screened for the presence of antibodies produced against 3ABC non-® structural proteins (NSP) of FMDV using a commercially available kit , PrioCHECK FMDV NS. Sera that tested positive on NSP were screened for serotype-specific antibodies towards the seven serotypes of FMD virus using liquid phase blocking ELISA. Only 24 out of 376 (6.3%) serum samples were positive for antibodies against NSP. All sera that tested positive on NSP and screened for antibodies against all the seven FMDV serotypes (O, A, C, Asia 1, SAT 1, SAT 2 and SAT 3) were found positive for antibodies against serotype O. This reveals that dromedaries appear however as being susceptible to infection with FMDV serotype O, but they are unlikely to play any significant role in the natural epidemiology of FMD.

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) sub-clinically infected animals, are always a threat to susceptible herds. During Hajj season 2009 (1431 Hijri) the kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) imported about 204,583 sheep from FMD free areas from Republic of Georgia through Jeddah Islamic seaport. The animals were clinically free from FMD and authorized as not been previously vaccinated. However, but during the routine laboratory examination of serum samples using FMD-3ABC ELISA some sheep consignments exhibited positivness for FMD anti-bodies. The liquid phase blocking ELISA (LPBE) was performed as a confirmatory test which revealed antibodies against FMD serotype O, the suggesting that animals may be susceptible to FMD infection from any endemic countries passed through during overseas transportation. This study will contribute towards the development of an appropriate strategy for FMD control, including the choice of countries of the animal importation, as well as assist to improve our understanding of the epidemiology of FMD.

75 camels (12%) as positive for the presence of T. evansi. While, Out of 75 DNA samples prepared from camel blood, 72 were positive by real time PCR assay (96%). Primers (TR3, TR4) derived from nuclear repetitive gene of T.evansi and SYBER Green1 fluorescent dye has been used. The melting peak chart of the positive samples showed one single peak at an average Tm of 85.0 o C. Application of this real time PCR to clinical samples resulted in rapid, direct detection of T. evansi in blood of naturally infected camels. The described real time PCR provides a valuable tool to study the epidemiology of T.evansi infection in camels and other susceptible animal population.