Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an acute and highly contagious viral disease of small
ruminants, it may have morbidity of 80-90% and mortality between 50 and 80 %. A total of two
hundred serum samples were collected from 120 sheep and 80 goats respectively during winter 2009
from Kalubia governorate, Egypt. Sera were tested for peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV)-specific
antibodies by the serum neutralization test (SNT), and a recently developed cell bound immunoassay
(CBIA). The SNT was used as the reference for the estimation of the sensitivity and specificity of the
CBIA. Out of that 200 examined sera, 53 (26.5%) and 66 (33%) were found positive for PPRV
antibodies by SNT and CBIA respectively. On the other hand, 17 out of 120 sheep sera (14.2%) and
36 of 80 goat sera (45%) were positive, contained PPRV-specific neutralizing antibodies. Concerning
the use of CBIA for detection of antibodies to PPRV, 24 out of 120 (20%) and 42 out of 80 (52.5%)
of sheep and goat sera were positive, respectively. The CBIA gave higher antibody titers to PPRV in
comparison to SNT. There was good percentage of agreement (97%) between the SNT and CBIA for
detection of antibody to PPRV, and it is suggested that the 2 methods are interchangeable. The
sensitivity and specificity of CBIA to the SNT for detection and titration of antibodies against PPRV
were 100% and 91.1 %, respectively. In conclusion, antibody seroprevalence in goats and sheep
confirmed natural presentation and transmission of PPRV among ovine under field condition. In
addition, the establishment of such a cell bound immunoassay for detection and titration of antibodies
against PPRV has many advantages. Firstly, the method is simple, cheap, sensitive and specific for the
laboratory conditions in Egypt. Secondly, the cytotoxicity and bacterial contamination of sera play no
role in this technique. Thirdly, it is a rapid method for detection and titration of antibodies against
PPRV. Fourthly, the microtiter plate containing infected monolayer can be preserved till being used |
