RETRACTED ARTICLE - Foot-and-mouth disease in cattle and small ruminants in Algeria. Seroepidemiological survey in the western region

Abstract

This article has been retracted on 12/04/2022.

The foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an infectious disease of viral origin that affects ruminants and pigs. A seroepidemiological survey was conducted in ruminants in the western region of Algeria to estimate the seroprevalence of FMD and to determine the risk factors that might lead to animals being affected by this disease. A total of 420 sera were collected (210 from cattle and 210 from small ruminants) and subjected to an NSP ELISA for the detection of antibodies against FMD virus induced by nonstructural proteins, followed by ELISAs for the detection of structural proteins specific to serotypes A, O, SAT 1, SAT 2 and Asia 1. The results showed a non-significant difference (p > 0.05) in seroprevalence between species with 23.8% in cattle and 27.1% in small ruminants. Serotype O was present in 95.3% of positive sera. It was present singly in 64.9% of small ruminants, whereas cattle were usually infected with several serotypes simultaneously, with the predominant association of the four serotypes A, O, SAT 1 and Asia 1, which accounted for 36% of infections. Vaccination coverage reached 48.7% of the herd (cattle and small ruminants) over six months of age. No statistical association was found between the farming system (extensive, semi intensive or intensive) and FMD infection (p > 0.05). In contrast, a significant association (p < 0.05) was found between animal vaccination and infection, with vaccinated animals being less infected with FMD.