Concurrent Peste Des Petits Ruminants Virus Infections in Small Ruminants
摘要
Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a transboundary animal disease that mostly affects sheep and goats and is caused by the PPR virus (PPRV). PPR has high morbidity and mortality rates which correspond to even higher case fatality rates. PPR infection in animals results in a decrease in the immunity of diseased animal, and the animal becomes susceptible to other secondary bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. PPRV damages the oral mucosa epithelium and upper respiratory tract which leads to secondary bacterial infections. Concurrent PPR infection increases the severity of signs and symptoms and lowers the chances of survival of the sick animal. Bacterial concurrent PPRV infections include Mycoplasma, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Mannheimia haemolytica. The most common viral concurrent infections reported in small ruminants are bluetongue virus, parapox, sheeppox virus, goatpox virus, and pestivirus. Several diagnostic assays can be performed for confirmation of PPR such as virus isolation, virus neutralization test, immuno-capture ELISA (IcELISA), competitive ELISA (cELISA), agar gel immuno-diffusion test, counter-immunoelectrophoresis, and RT-PCR. Vaccination of susceptible populations is the only way to control PPR outbreaks in infected areas and limit the economic losses due to concurrent PPRV infections. This chapter aims to provide a critical analysis of existing understanding of concurrent infections that complicate the clinical picture of PPR and discuss our existing tools and resources to not only discriminate the infections but also guide our strategies to control the disease.