Mosa, A. H. & M. M. Zenad, 2022. First molecular detection of Maedi-Visna virus in Awassi sheep of Middle Iraq regions. Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 25, No 2, 211-222.

 

DOI: 10.15547/bjvm.2020-0069

 

Respiratory viral infections cause significant economic losses in sheep production. This preliminary molecular study aimed to detect the Maedi-Visna virus infection in Awassi sheep in three governorates in the middle region of Iraq. The presence of one or more of the specific four genes (gag, pol, env and LTR) were considered as positive result. A total of 210 blood samples of Awassi sheep were collected for the purpose of the project. The molecular prevalence of Maedi-Visna virus in sheep was 12.85% (27/210). As a result, Maedi-Visna virus was observed in sheep with chronic respiratory system disease with non-significant difference between governorates and between primers percentage (P>0.05). Sequencing studies strongly suggested that Maedi-Visna virus originated in Iraq. This is the first study describing Iraqi Maedi-Visna virus sequences with molecular characterisation of gag, pol, env and LTR genes, suggesting that Maedi-Visna virus originated in Iraq.

Key words: Awassi sheep, first molecular detection, Maedi-Visna virus, middle Iraq regions

 

Mosa, A. H. & M. M. Zenad, 2022. Първа молекулярна детекция на вируса Maedi-Visna при овце Аваси от регионите в среден Ирак. Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 25, No 2, 211-222.

 

DOI: 10.15547/bjvm.2020-0069

 

Respiratory viral infections cause significant economic losses in sheep production. This preliminary molecular study aimed to detect the Maedi-Visna virus infection in Awassi sheep in three governorates in the middle region of Iraq. The presence of one or more of the specific four genes (gag, pol, env and LTR) were considered as positive result. A total of 210 blood samples of Awassi sheep were collected for the purpose of the project. The molecular prevalence of Maedi-Visna virus in sheep was 12.85% (27/210). As a result, Maedi-Visna virus was observed in sheep with chronic respiratory system disease with non-significant difference between governorates and between primers percentage (P>0.05). Sequencing studies strongly suggested that Maedi-Visna virus originated in Iraq. This is the first study describing Iraqi Maedi-Visna virus sequences with molecular characterisation of gag, pol, env and LTR genes, suggesting that Maedi-Visna virus originated in Iraq.

Ключови думи: овце Aваси, първа молекулярна детекция, Maedi-Visna вирус, среден Ирак