Molecular Detection and Serological Investigation of Newcastle Disease in Intensive, Semi-Intensive, and Backyard Production Systems in Central and Southwestern Areas of Ethiopia

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to detect Newcastle disease virus and to assess the seropositivity among backyard, semi-intensive, and intensive farms located in central and southwestern areas of Ethiopia.

Material and Methods

A total of 239 oropharyngeal and cloacal swab samples were collected from symptomatic birds found in Holeta, Burayu, Jimma towns as well as Seka Chekorsa and Nadhigibe woredas of Jimma Zone. In addition, ninety blood samples were collected from wing veins of unvaccinated birds found in the study areas of Jimma zone. Side-by-side information related to risk factors estimated to contribute to the susceptibility of the disease was collected by interviewing owners of sampled birds. Reverse transcription polymerase-chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted to detect NDV. Likewise, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to determine the seropositivity of ND.

Results

The proportion of samples where NDV was detected was 24.6%. Similarly, 68.9% of the sampled birds were seropositive. It was observed that adult birds were more likely to encounter the disease than youngs (OR = 11.6; 95% CI: 4.0–33.3; P = 0.000). Birds owned by respondents who leave diseased birds in the flock were more likely infected (OR = 6.2; 95% CI: 1.8–21.2; P=0.004) as compared to those isolated and mode of disposal of dead chicken significantly affect exposure (OR = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.10–4.88; P = 0.044). Likewise, access to veterinary services highly likely reduces susceptibility to the disease (OR = 12.4; 95% CI: 3.2–46.9; P = 0.000). It was also found that birds farmed intensively were the most at risk (OR = 2.8; 95% CI: 0.58–13.71; P = 0.199).

Conclusion

Detection of ND from a significant proportion of sampled birds and their high seropositivity percentage revealed the circulation of the virus in the study areas.

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© 2024 Emeru et al. This work is published by Dove Medical Press Limited, and licensed under Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed.

Keywords:

• Newcastle disease
• RT-PCR
• ELISA
• susceptibility

Ethical Approval and Consent

This study was approved by the Animal Research Ethics Review Committee of NABRC. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethics Committee. The study animals were handled throughout the study period according to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) animal welfare and ARRIVE guidelines 2.0.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research for funding this project.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.