Study of Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in Some Border Areas of Iran by Nested- PCR

In order to study on small ruminant rinderpest (PPR) in some border areas of Iran, totally 70 blood samples were taken via jugular vein from Kamyaran, Piranshahr, Lahijan, Ghorveh and Bilesavar district, in a tube with EDTA. The sampling was in the flocks located in Iran borders. The samples were sent near the ice container to laboratory. The blood samples included 28 goat and 42 sheep which totally consisted of 45 and 25 female and male respectively. Samples collected from Ghorveh, Lahijan, Billesavar, Kamyaran and Piranshahr were 13, 10, 18, 13, and 16 respectively. In the above mentioned areas, non-specific symptoms of PPR such as high mortality rate, diarrhea that resistant to the treatment, abortion and observation of ulcer in the penis of the male animals were observed. Sampling was not only from suspected animals but also was done with animals with no specific clinical signs (apparently normal sheep and goats). Blood samples centrifuged at 4° C in 3000 rpm for 10 minutes and serum was separated quietly. Buffy coat was used for extracting PPRV (RNA). RT-PCR was performed by using 448bp that is specific for F gene. In the second step, all samples were tested with Nested-PCR. Live attenuated vaccine was used as a positive control in PCR. Statistical analysis of data was done by SPSS and analysis of variance. Out of 70 samples, N=10 (15%) were positive in the PCR tests. The infection in sheep and goat was N=4 (%10) and N=6 (%22) respectively. No significant differences (P>0/05), were observed between the gender and infection. In the age group of less than 1, 1-2, 2-3 and over 3 years-old, infection rate was %14, 5 %34, 2 %12 and %0, respectively presenting no significant difference (P>0/05). The infection rate in Ghorveh, Lahijan, Billesavar, Kamyaran and piranshahr, was %30, %0, %30, %20 and %20, respectively. The analysis showed that there were no significant differences between the flocks in the locations (P>0/05). Other studies are suggested to be done in different borders of Iran to distinguish infection of PPR.