Seroprevalence of bluetongue virus IgG-antibodies in cattle in some Iraqi Provinces, using of a competitive-ELISA

Abstract

This study was performed to detect seroprevalence of BTV IgG-antibodies in apparently healthy cattle in four provinces in Iraq. An overall 468 serum samples were collected during a period of April / 2016 to May / 2017 and examined by using a competitive-ELISA. The total result revealed that 28.42% of cattle were seropositive for BTV infections. Highest seroprevalence was reported in provinces of Dhi-Qar (35.04%) and Al-Qadisiyah (30.77%), while, the lowest was in Babylon (23.08%) and Wasit (24.79%). Among breed, no statistical differences (P£0.05) were detected between pure-breed (33.8%) and cross-breed (32.67%), which appeared with a high rate for seroprevalence compared to indigenous-breed (18.49%), P>0.05. In addition, a significant increase in the prevalence of BTV-antibodies was showed in a cattle group of (>5) years (55.17%), followed by (>3-5) years (40.38%), and (1-3) years (7.61%) groups, (P>0.05). Regarding gender, females were testified, relatively, an exposure rate for BTV (30.03%) more than males (23.48%), (P>0.05).