Colostrum and milk can transmit jaagsiekte retrovirus to lambs

Grego, E. et al. (2008) Colostrum and milk can transmit jaagsiekte retrovirus to lambs. Veterinary Microbiology, 130(3-4), pp. 247-257. (doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2008.01.011)

Abstract

Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) is a contagious disease caused by jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV). In the three studies performed, we have obtained data of the importance of colostrum/milk (C/M) in the transmission of JSRV. In the first study, a group of sheep from a flock with a long history of OPA, samples from colostrum and peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs) p were collected. Two specific PCRs (U3-LTR and env of the JSRV) were carried out. Using U3PCR 8/34 sheep were positive in colostrum whereas with envPCR 7/34 were positive. From these animals only one was positive with U3PCR in the PBLs. Evidence of the transmission of JSRV infection by C/M was obtained in two more separate studies. In the second study, PBLs from five lambs from JSRV+ ewes and two from JSRV-ewes were tested by the U3PCR. They were fed C/M by their mothers during 3 months and slaughtered 7 months after birth. Three out of five lambs from the JSRV+ sheep become PBL positive at 3-4 months old and the other two were also positive at 4-6 months of age. One lamb of the JSRV-sheep became also PBL positive at an age of 3 months. In the third study, a group of lambs from JSRV negative mothers were fed with C/M from JSRV+ sheep and housed in separate unit. For comparison, another group of the same origin and maintained in another different unit, were fed with C/M containing a JSRV virus preparation. All lambs were blood sampled monthly and JSRV infection was detected as early as 15 days and several times onwards in both groups. Control groups fed with C/M from JSRV free flock and JSRV blood test negative sheep were always negative. Together these results indicate that suckling is an important natural transmission route for JSRV.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Caporale, Dr Marco
• Authors: Grego, E., De Meneghi, D., Alvarez, V., Benito, A.A., Minguijon, E., Ortin, A., Mattoni, M., Moreno, B., de Villarreal, M.P., Alberti, A., Capucchio, M.T., Caporale, M., Juste, R., Rosati, S., and las Heras, M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Veterinary Microbiology
• ISSN: 0378-1135
• Published Online: 25 August 2008