Seroprevalence of respiratory viral pathogens of indigenous calves in Western Kenya

R. Callaby*, P. Toye, A. Jennings, S. M. Thumbi, J. A.W. Coetzer, I. C. Conradie Van Wyk, O. Hanotte, M. N. Mbole-Kariuki, B. M.de C. Bronsvoort, L. E.B. Kruuk, M. E.J. Woolhouse, H. Kiara

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    15 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Most studies of infectious diseases in East African cattle have concentrated on gastro-intestinal parasites and vector-borne diseases. As a result, relatively little is known about viral diseases, except for those that are clinically symptomatic or which affect international trade such as foot and mouth disease, bluetongue and epizootic haemorrhagic disease. Here, we investigate the seroprevalence, distribution and relationship between the viruses involved in respiratory disease, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBR), bovine parainfluenza virus Type 3 (PIV3) and bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) in East African Shorthorn Zebu calves. These viruses contribute to the bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD) which is responsible for major economic losses in cattle from intensive farming systems as a result of pneumonia. We found that calves experience similar risks of infection for IBR, PIV3, and BVDV with a seroprevalence of 20.9%, 20.1% and 19.8% respectively. We confirm that positive associations exist between IBR, PIV3 and BVDV; being seropositive for any one of these three viruses means that an individual is more likely to be seropositive for the other two viruses than expected by chance.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)120-124
    Number of pages5
    JournalResearch in Veterinary Science
    Volume108
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2016

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