Global Advanced Research Journal of Microbiology (GARJM) ISSN: 2315-5116
April 2017 Vol. 6(2): pp. 001-007
Copyright © 2017 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Seroprevalence of Herpes virus-1(BoHV-1) antibodies in Zebu cattle in the Vina Division, Cameroon

Achukwi, Mbunkah Daniel^1*, Tangwa, Bernard Viban², Fekamchwi, Henrietta Ngangyung Wachong-kum¹, Ngakou, Albert²

¹Veterinary Research Laboratory, Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD) P .O. Box 65 Ngaoundere, Cameroon.

²Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences & Technological Development, University of Ngaoundere, Cameroon.

Email: achukwi_md@yahoo.co.uk

Accepted 19 August, 2015 

Abstract

Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) which is caused by Herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) is poorly documented in Sub-saharan Africa. In Cameroon there are no previous estimates of IBR infections rates in cattle. A serosurveillance by an indirect ELISA test for detecting BoHV-1 antibodies using the Bio-X Diagnostics kit (Belgium), was undertaken with 252 randomly selected zebu cattle in small holder livestock farms from 7 subdivisions of the Vina Division. Herpesvirus -1 antibodies were present in the zebu Gudali cattle indicating past or present infection of the animals with Herpes virus-1(BoHV-1). The seropositivity rate varied from 11.11±1.1% in Ngaoundere to 22.22±2.2% in Ngangha sub-division, with the highest point prevalence of 38.89±3.9% and an overall relative prevalence rate of 16.7±1.7%. Older animals (>3-10years) had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) sero prevalence of Herpesvirus -1 antibodies than those in the 0-3 years age group. No significant difference (P>0.05) in Herpesvirus -1 antibodies prevalence was found between males and female cattle. These epizootiological values need to be considered in the planning of cattle disease control programmes in this predominantly cattle producing area.

Keywords:  Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, serosurveillance, antibodies.