Ispitivanje seroprevalence Šmalenberg virusa kod goveda i ovaca u Vojvodini, Srbija 2013-2018

Abstract

Since 2011 in Europe Schmallenberg virus has been recognized as the causative agent of abortions and congenital malformations in calves, lambs and goat kids. It was also associated with nonspecific clinical signs of fever, drop in milk yield and diarrhea in cattle. Nowadays, the circulation of Schmallenberg virus is reported in almost all European countries, but no recent serological studies have been carried out in Serbia. In this study the serological survey was carried out in two districts (South Bačka and Srem) in Vojvodina, Serbia, to investigate the potential decrease or increase of the virus circulation in population of sheep and cattle during 6-year period. A total of 598 cattle blood sera and 596 sheep blood sera from the blood sera bank of Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad, collected during 2013-2018 were examined by commercial ELISA test for the presence of antibodies against Schmallenberg virus. In South Bačka district, the lowland region, 292 cattle and 294 sheep blood sera were examined, and 306 cattle and 302 sheep blood sera in Srem district, a highland region, respectively. The highest seroprevalence was detected in 2015 in both cattle and sheep, while the lowest seroprevalence in cattle was detected in 2013, and in sheep in 2014. In cattle there were almost no differences in seroprevalence between lowland and highland regions, while in sheep higher prevalence was detected in highland region. Statistical analysis showed significant difference between seroprevalence in sheep during 6-year period, while in cattle no statistically significant difference in seroprevalence was observed. These data show that Schmallenberg virus circulation is present in northern part of Serbia in both cattle and sheep population, at least from 2013, and should be taken in account as causative agent in abortion, fetal malformation and stillborn cases in cattle and sheep in the tested region. The vector abundance differ from year to year, which affects differences in seroprevalence and circulation of Schmallenberg virus.