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Antibodies Against Foot‐and‐mouth Disease (FMD) Virus in African Buffalos ( Syncerus caffer ) in Selected National Parks in Uganda (2001–2003)
Author(s) -
Ayebazibwe C.,
Mwiine F. N.,
Balinda S. N.,
Tjørnehøj K.,
Masembe C.,
Muwanika V. B.,
Okurut A. R. A.,
Siegismund H. R.,
Alexandersen S.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
transboundary and emerging diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.392
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1865-1682
pISSN - 1865-1674
DOI - 10.1111/j.1865-1682.2010.01147.x
Subject(s) - serotype , seroprevalence , serology , virology , foot and mouth disease virus , antibody , foot and mouth disease , biology , veterinary medicine , virus , livestock , medicine , immunology , ecology
Summary In East Africa, the foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) virus (FMDV) isolates have over time included serotypes O, A, C, Southern African Territories (SAT) 1 and SAT 2, mainly from livestock. SAT 3 has only been isolated in a few cases and only in African buffalos ( Syncerus caffer ). To investigate the presence of antibodies against FMDV serotypes in wildlife in Uganda, serological studies were performed on buffalo serum samples collected between 2001 and 2003. Thirty‐eight samples from African buffalos collected from Lake Mburo, Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks were screened using Ceditest ® FMDV NS to detect antibodies against FMDV non‐structural proteins (NSP). The seroprevalence of antibodies against non‐structural proteins was 74%. To characterize FMDV antibodies, samples were selected and titrated using serotype‐specific solid phase blocking enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISAs). High titres of antibodies (≥1 : 160) against FMDV serotypes SAT 1, SAT 2 and SAT 3 were identified. This study suggests that African buffalos in the different national parks in Uganda may play an important role in the epidemiology of SAT serotypes of FMDV.