Seasonal and periodic rhythmicity of respiratory infections in small ruminants

ABSTRACT

In this study, seasonal and periodic rhythmicity of various respiratory infections in small ruminants were studied. A total of 380 animals (200 sheep, 180 goats) were screened in winter and summer seasons for Mycoplasma, bacteria, and virus (Morbilivirus) infections. Agglutination test for Mycoplasma, competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumonia (Mccp), culture for Pasteurella, and sandwich ELISA for morbillivirus, was used. Seasonal prevalence was 7% and 5% of mycoplasmosis, 7% and 8.33% of pasteurellosis and 24% and 28.89% of PPR in sheep and goat in winter and 4%, 6% , 17.5% and 3.3%, 6.6%, 16.11% in summer, respectively. Periodicity noted was PPR infection followed by mycoplasmosis and pasteurellosis. Young ones were found to be more susceptible followed by older ones than adults. Females were found to be more affected than males (29.5%–30%). Positive correlation was found between seropositivity and season, age, and gender. In conclusion, respiratory infections have seasonal occurrence with more cases occurring during winter and periodic rhythmicity includes PPR followed by mycoplasmosis and pasteurellosis. Hence, this study helps in establishing the seasonal occurrence, periodic rhythmicity, and age and gender-wise prevalence of respiratory infections in small ruminants that can be exploited for disease management and prevention strategies.

KEYWORDS:

• Goat
• infection
• pathogen
• period
• rhythm
• respiratory
• season
• sheep

Acknowledgments

Authors are thankful to the authorities of Sher E Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) for providing support and facilities and Science and Engineering Research Board – Department of Science and Technology (SERB-DST) for funding this research through EMR/2016/004929.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethical clearance

This study is approved by Institute Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC) vide Order No. AU/FVSc/PS-57/4298-99.