Seroprevalence of Pestiviruses in Some Goat Breeds in Samsun Province

Abstract

There is a lack of information about the seroprevalence of pestiviruses in indigenous and composite goat breeds in Turkey. In this study, blood samples randomly collected from different domestic goat breeds (Anatolian black goat, Maltese and Saanen). The material consisted of 368 domestic goats, including 121 Anatolian black breeds, 125 Maltese breeds and 122 Saanen breeds from Samsun province. The serum samples were analysed for the presence of antibodies to pestiviruses using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seropositivity rates in Anatolian black, Saanen and Maltese breeds were detected as 3.31%, 2.46% and 6.40% for pestiviruses, respectively. Out of 368 serum samples examined, 15 (4.08%) were positive for pestiviruses. Maltese breed may be more susceptible for pestivirus infections than Saanen and Anatolian black goat breeds.