Serological survey of pestivirus infection of small ruminants in Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

In order to study the seroprevalence of pestivirus infection in small ruminants of Ahvaz at Khouzestan province of Iran, 148 sheep sera and 143 goat sera were randomly collected and tested by seroneutralization. Seroneutralization was performed by NADL strain of Bovine viral diarrhea virus genotype 1. The results indicated the overall seroprevanelces of 46.62% in sheep and 32.871% in goats. Prevalence of pestivirus antibody showed an increase with respect to age of the animals but a significant difference was only observed between sheep 4 years. This study is the first report of pestivirus infection of goat in Iran.