Veterinary Research Forum
Vet Res Forum

Investigating serological evidence of Schmallenberg virus in cattle in eastern Algeria

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Nadia Djellata 1
Abdelkrim Yahimi 1
Christian Hanzen 2

1 Laboratory of Biotechnologies Related to Animal Reproduction, Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Blida 1 University, Blida, Algeria

2 Department of Veterinary Management of Animal Resources, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium

https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2024.2026853.4238
Abstract
Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is a newly identified virus belonging to the Orthobunyavirus genus, of the Bunyaviridae family, and transmitted by haematophagous arthropods in particular mosquitoes and biting midges of the Culicoides genus. The SBV is known to cause reproductive disorders in ruminants mainly abortions, stillbirths and congenital malformations (hydranencephaly and arthrogryposis syndromes). The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of SBV in dairy cattle in Algeria. Between September 2023 and December 2023, blood serum samples from 300 dairy cows from 75 dairy farms in north eastern Algeria were tested for SBV antibodies using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Individual seroprevalence was 38.33% (115/300; 95.00% confidence interval: 32.83 - 43.83), while herd seroprevalence was 41.33% (31/75; 95.00% confidence interval: 30.18 - 52.47). In addition, the results of this study revealed that SBV seroprevalence at individual or herd level was high and not negligible confirming the presence of SBV in the regions studied in Algeria. In conclusion, more in-depth studies are recommended concerning the molecular proof, origin and pathogenesis of SBV in ruminants mainly those linked to reproductive disorders as well as the study of the various associated risk factors.

Keywords

Algeria
Cattle ELISA test
Prevalence
Schmallenberg virus

Subjects

  1. Hoffmann B, Scheuch M, Höper D, et al. Novel orthobunyavirus in cattle, Europe, 2011. Emerg Infect Dis 2012; 18(3): 469-472.
  2. Martinelle L, Dal Pozzo F, Kirschvink N, et al. The Schmallenberg virus or the emergence of the first orthobunyavirus of the Simbu serogroup in Europe [French]. Ann Méd Vét 2012; 156: 7-24.
  3. Beer M, Conraths FJ, van der Poel WH. ‘Schmallenberg virus’ - - a novel orthobunyavirus emerging in Europe. Epidemiol Infect 2013; 141(1): 1-8.
  4. Zhai SL, Lv DH, Wen XH, et al. Preliminary serological evidence for Schmallenberg virus infection in China. Trop Anim Health Prod 2017; 50(2): 449-453.
  5. Azkur AK, Albayrak H, Risvanli A, et al. Antibodies to Schmallenberg virus in domestic livestock in Turkey. Trop Anim Health Prod 2013; 45: 1825-1828.
  6. Blomström AL, Stenberg H, Scharin I, et al. Serological screening suggests presence of Schmallenberg virus in cattle, sheep and goat in the Zambezia Province, Mozambique. Transbound Emerg Dis 2014; 61(4): 289-292.
  7. Mathew C, Klevar S, Elbers AR, et al. Detection of serum neutralizing antibodies to Simbu sero-group viruses in cattle in Tanzania. BMC Vet Res 2015; 11: 208. doi: 10.1186/s12917-015-0526-2.
  8. Asmare K, Sibhat B, Ayelet G, et al. Serological evidence of bovine herpesvirus-1, bovine viral diarrhea virus and Schmallenberg virus infections in relation to reproductive disorders in dairy cattle in Ethiopia. Acta Trop 2018; 178: 236-241.
  9. Rasmussen LD, Kristensen B, Kirkeby C, et al. Culicoids as vectors of Schmallenberg virus. Emerg Infect Dis 2012; 18(7): 1204-1206.
  10. Pagès N, Talavera S, Verdún M, et al. Schmallenberg virus detection in Culicoides biting midges in Spain: first laboratory evidence for highly efficient infection of Culicoides of the Obsoletus complex and Culicoides imicola. Transbound Emerg Dis 2018; 65(1): e1-e6. doi: 10.1111/tbed.12653.
  11. Pepin M, Laaberki MH, Dupinay T, et al. Increasing importance of bunyaviridae in public and veterinary health illustrated by hantaviruses, and the schmallenberg and rift valley fever viruses [French]. Bull Acad Vét France 2012; 165(4): 339-346.
  12. Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI). Schmallenberg virus (SBV). Available at: https://www.fli.de/en/news/animal -disease-situation/schmallenberg-virus/. Accessed Feb 8, 2025.
  13. Djellata N, Yahimi A, Hanzen C, et al. Prevalence and factors associated with a higher or lower risk of exposure to Coxiella burnetii, Chlamydia abortus and Toxoplasma gondii in dairy cows that have aborted in Algeria. Rev Sci Tech 2019; 38(3): 761-786.
  14. Abutarbush SM, La Rocca A, Wernike K, et al. Circulation of a Simbu serogroup virus, causing Schmallenberg virus‐like clinical signs in northern Jordan. Transbound Emerg Dis 2017; 64(4): 1095-1099.
  15. Jiménez-Ruiz S, Paniagua J, Isla J, et al. Description of the first Schmallenberg disease outbreak in Spain and subsequent virus spreading in domestic ruminants. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 65: 189-193.
  16. Rexhepi A, Wernike K, Berxholi K, et al. First evidence of Schmallenberg virus infection in domestic ruminants in Kosovo and Albania. Vet Ital 2021; 57(1): 13-17.
  17. Dogan F, Dik B, Bilge-Dagalp S, et al. Prevalance of Schmallenberg orthobunyavirus (SBV) infection in sampled ruminants in Turkey's Eastern Mediterranean region between 2015 and 2017. Res Vet Sci 2022; 145: 63-70.
  18. Collins ÁB, Barrett DJ, Doherty ML, et al. Significant re‐emergence and re-circulation of Schmallenberg virus in previously exposed dairy herds in Ireland in 2016. Transbound Emerg Dis 2017; 64(5): 1359-1363.
  19. Ferrara G, Wernike K, Iovane G, et al.First evidence of Schmallenberg virus infection in southern Italy. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19: 95. doi: 10.1186/s12917-023-03666-5.
  20. Al-Baroodi SY. Seroprevalence of Schmallenberg virus infection as emerging disease in cattle in Iraq. Iraqi J Vet Sci 2021; 35(3): 495-499.
  21. Rasekh M, Sarani A, Jafari A. First detection of Schmallenberg virus antibody in cattle population of eastern Iran. Vet Res Forum 2022; 13(3): 443-446.
  22. de Souza Nunes Martins M, Pituco EM, Taniwaki SA, et al. Schmallenberg virus: research into viral circulation in Brazil. Braz J Microbiol 2022; 53(1): 377-383.
  23. Wernike K, Eschbaumer M, Breithaupt A, et al. Schmallenberg virus challenge models in cattle: infectious serum or culture-grown virus? Vet Res 2012; 43(1): 84. doi: 10.1186/1297-9716-43-84.
  24. Sedda L, Rogers DJ. The influence of the wind in the Schmallenberg virus outbreak in Europe. Sci Rep 2013; 3: 3361. doi: 10.1038/srep03361.
  25. Balmer S, Vögtlin A, Thür B, et al. Serosurveillance of Schmallenberg virus in Switzerland using bulk tank milk samples. Prev Vet Med 2014; 116(4): 370-379.
  26. Bilk S, Schulze C, Fischer M, et al. Organ distribution of Schmallenberg virus RNA in malformed newborns. Vet Microbiol 2012; 159(1-2): 236-238.
  27. Wernike K, Holsteg M, Schirrmeier H, et al. Natural infection of pregnant cows with Schmallenberg virus - - a follow-up study. PloS One 2014; 9(5): e98223. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098223.
  28. Wernike K, Eschbaumer M, Schirrmeier H, et al. Oral exposure, reinfection and cellular immunity to Schmallenberg virus in cattle. Vet Microbiol 2013; 165(1-2): 155-159.
  29. Schulz C, Wernike K, Beer M, et al. Infectious Schmallenberg virus from bovine semen, Germany. Emerg Infect Dis 2014; 20(2): 338-340.
Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 16, Issue 3
March 2025
Pages 129-132

  • Receive Date 19 April 2024
  • Revise Date 31 August 2024
  • Accept Date 06 September 2024

Home

Guide for Authors

Submit Manuscript

Reviewers

Contact Us