Duration of bluetongue viraemia and serological responses in experimentally infected European breeds of sheep and goats

Koumbati, M., Mangana, O., Nomikou, K. , Mellor, P.S. and Papadopoulos, O. (1999) Duration of bluetongue viraemia and serological responses in experimentally infected European breeds of sheep and goats. Veterinary Microbiology, 64(4), pp. 277-285. (doi: 10.1016/S0378-1135(98)00255-7) (PMID:10063533)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

The duration of viraemia and the serological responses were studied in two breeds of sheep and two breeds of goats, experimentally infected with bluetongue (BT) virus serotype 4. Viraemia, detectable by cell culture and embryonated chicken egg inoculation, lasted from the third to sixth day until the 27th–54th day post infection (p.i.). Significant differences between sheep and goats were not recorded. Lesbos sheep and goats together appeared to have significantly longer viraemias (n = 9, mean 41.3 days) than east-Friesian sheep and Saanen goats (n = 10, mean 30.4 days, p = 0.0039). Serological response was studied by competitive ELISA (c-ELISA) and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) tests. The c-ELISA was more sensitive in detecting BT virus antibodies in all animals than the AGID tests. No significant differences were observed between sheep and goats or between breeds. The epidemiological significance of subclinical infection and the extended BT virus viraemias in Lesbos sheep and goats, in relation to the maintenance of the virus and to overwintering is discussed.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Nomikou, Dr Kyriaki
Authors: Koumbati, M., Mangana, O., Nomikou, K., Mellor, P.S., and Papadopoulos, O.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
Journal Name:Veterinary Microbiology
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0378-1135
ISSN (Online):1873-2542
Published Online:29 January 1999

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record