Seroepidemiology of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) in the Adamawa Region of Cameroon and Use of the SPOT Test to Identify Herds with PI Calves
2011

Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus in Cameroon

Sample size: 1377 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Ian G. Handel, Kim Willoughby, Fiona Land, Bronwyn Koterwas, Kenton L. Morgan, Vincent N. Tanya, Barend M. deC. Bronsvoort

Primary Institution: The Roslin Institute at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh

Hypothesis

What is the seroprevalence of BVDV in cattle in the Adamawa Region of Cameroon?

Conclusion

The study found high seroprevalences of BVDV in cattle herds in the Adamawa Region of Cameroon, indicating a significant health issue.

Supporting Evidence

  • 92% of herds were estimated to be seropositive for BVDV.
  • 30% within-herd seroprevalence was observed.
  • 16.5% of herds had a persistently infected calf in the last year.
  • Significant risk factors included proximity to antelope and mixing with other herds.

Takeaway

This study looked at sick cows in Cameroon and found that many of them had a virus that can make them very sick.

Methodology

A population-based cross-sectional study using archived sera collected in 2000, with serological screening for antibodies to BVDV.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the original study design aimed at foot-and-mouth disease rather than BVDV.

Limitations

The study did not sample animals less than 8 months old, which may have led to an underestimation of PI calves.

Participant Demographics

Cattle from 146 herds across the Adamawa Region of Cameroon.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Confidence Interval

95% highest posterior density interval

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0021620

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