Survey for antibodies to respiratory viruses in two groups of sheep in Northern Ireland
Adair, B.M.; McFerran, J.B.; McKillop, E.R.; McCullough, S.J.
Veterinary Record 115(16): 403-406
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 6095511 Document Number: 233589
Two hundred serum samples from Texel and Texel crossbred sheep (non-indigenous breeds) and 200 from indigenous Northern Ireland breeds (mainly Blackface, Cheviot and Border Leicester crosses) were tested for antibodies to parainfluenza virus types 1, 2 and 3, respiratory syncytial virus, bovine adenovirus (subgroups 1 and 2), influenza type A, maedi-visna virus and bovine diarrhoea virus. The percentage of animals with antibodies to parainfluenza virus 3 (50 to 56%) and adenovirus subgroups 1 and 2 (70 to 90%) was comparable in the two groups. Infection of sheep with subgroup 2 adenoviruses has not previously been reported. In the case of respiratory syncytial virus and bovine diarrhoea virus, the percentage of animals positive was higher in the non-indigenous group (55.5 and 53%, respectively) than in indigenous breeds (18.5 and 11%, respectively). No antibodies were detected to parainfluenza virus 1 or 2, influenza A or maedi-visna virus.