Volume 14, Issue 1: 2024 - Article 141

Abstract
Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a contagious viral disease of goats and sheep, and a major constraint to small ruminant production because of the high morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. The present study determined the prevalence of PPR virus antibodies in goats and sheep in Abia State, Nigeria. The design was a cross-sectional survey. A total of 284 serum samples (209 from goats and 75 from sheep) were purposively collected from small ruminants in all the agricultural zones in the State (Aba, Ohafia and Umuahia). Competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the presence of antibodies against PPR virus in the sera.  An overall seroprevalence of 57.7% was recorded, and seroprevalence values for the species were: 62.2% for goats and 45.3% for sheep. Seroprevalence in the various agricultural zones in decreasing order were: Umuahia – 65.2%, Ohafia – 64.0%, and Aba – 41.9%. The seroprevalence significantly (p = 0.011) varied across the three agricultural zones. Among various age groups, a higher seroprevalence was recorded in young animals between the ages of 6 to 12 months (70.6% in goats and 50.0% in sheep), when compared with the other age groups. Female goats had higher seroprevalence (67.9% in does) when compared to the males (55.7% in bucks). West African Dwarf goats had a higher seroprevalence (68.3%) than the Red Sokoto breed of goats (53.5%), but in sheep, a lower seroprevalence (36.8%) was obtained in the West African Dwarf breed of sheep when compared to the Yankassa breed (54.1%). There was significant association between breeds sampled and seroprevalence. This study showed that there is a high (57.7%) prevalence of PPR virus antibodies in goats and sheep in Abia State, Nigeria. Regular vaccination was recommended and PPR awareness programs were advocated.

Keywords: Peste des petits ruminants; Seroprevalence; Antibodies; Abia State, Nigeria; Goats; Sheep; Survey.

How to cite this article:
Ikpendu CN, Okwor EC,  Eze DC and Obasi CC (2024). Seroprevalence of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR)
viral antibodies in goats and sheep in Abia State, Nigeria. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences,
14(1): 501 – 509.

*Correspondence: E-mail:     ikpendu.chinaza@mouau.edu.ng      Phone: +2348060743006

Seroprevalence of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) viral antibodies in goats and sheep in Abia State, Nigeria

Chinaza N. Ikpendu ^{1 *}, Emmanuel C. Okwor ²,  Didacus C. Eze ² and Christian C. Obasi ^2
1 Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria.
² Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

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