Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with maedi visna virus in sheep population in southwestern Croatia

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to detect the presence maedi visna virus (MVV) infections in sheep three counties southwestern Croatia: Istria County, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and Lika-Senj estimate influence geographical location, breed, age gender as risk factors on prevalence rate. A total 460 randomly selected were tested using a commercially available ID Screen® MVV/CAEV Indirect screening test, VISNAS-5P (ID.VET, Grabels France) for detection antibodies against Maedi-Visna virus. rate entire population 10.00 % (95 7.26 - 12.74 %), highest seroprevalence MVV found (19.02%, CI 95% 13.35 –24.70%), followed by (5.43 %, 95 2.17- 8.70) (1.07 -1.03 – 3.17) (P<0.01). When comparing among breeds, statistically significant differences observed. largest number positive following breeds: Istrian Pramenka (22.97%, 13.39 32.55%), Jezersko-Solcava (23.53%, 11.89 35.17%%), (13.16%, 2.41 23.91%) Lika (9.78%, 3.71- 15.85%). Prevalence rates other examined breeds (Krk sheep, Pag Romanov sheep) lower than 2 No between sex found. According estimation, main be location breed. In 4.77 ( 2.67 8.54) higher areas (OR = 5.66, 2.97-10.79) As observed 2.84, 1.13-7.14) relation 22.51,, 16.99-119.73), Krk 19.53, 5.80-108.27), 2.35, 1.17-6.47). This cross-section indicates circulation Croatia, represents first research into Croatia.