Seroprevalence of Bluetongue and Associated Risk Factors in Costa Rican Sheep Flocks
Seroprevalence of Bluetongue and Associated Risk Factors in Costa Rican Sheep Flocks
Rodolfo Villagra-Blanco1*, Gaby Dolz1, Danilo Montero-Caballero2, Juan Jose Romero-Zuniga2
ABSTRACT
Blood samples from a total of 359 sheep from 15 farms were analysed for the presence of antibodies against bluetongue virus (BTV) by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antibodies were detected in 290 sheep from fourteen different flocks, distributed in all analyzed regions (Central, Chorotega, Atlantic Huetar, North Huetar, and Central Pacific) determining regional seropositivity between 63.5% and 100.0%, as well as an overall prevalence of 80.8 %. The within flock seropositivity percentages ranged between 0% and 100.0%. Flocks with the highest seropositivity were found in low altitude regions close to the coast. Risk and protective factors determined in the present study were not in accordance with this insect borne disease. The results of this study indicate that BTV is endemic in sheep herds from Costa Rica, and animals seem not show clinical signs. We recommend carrying out further studies, to determine the presence of BTV in goats and wild ruminants, and to identify serotypes present in the country.
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