A large-scale serological survey of Akabane virus infection in cattle, yak, sheep and goats in China

• Published in: Veterinary microbiology 2017-08, Vol.207, p.7-12
• Main Authors: Wang, Jidong, Blasdell, Kim R., Yin, Hong, Walker, Peter J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Akabane virus; Animals; Antibodies; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Arthrogryposis; Bos grunniens; Bovidae; Bunyaviridae; Bunyaviridae Infections - blood; Bunyaviridae Infections - epidemiology; Bunyaviridae Infections - veterinary; Bunyaviridae Infections - virology; bunyavirus; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - blood; Cattle Diseases - epidemiology; Cattle Diseases - virology; China - epidemiology; Goat Diseases - blood; Goat Diseases - epidemiology; Goat Diseases - virology; Goats; Health risks; Hydranencephaly; Infections; neutralising antibody; Orthobunyavirus - classification; Orthobunyavirus - isolation & purification; Ovis aries; Provinces; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Serology; Sheep; Sheep Diseases - blood; Sheep Diseases - epidemiology; Sheep Diseases - virology; Simbu serogroup; Species Specificity; Viral infections; Viruses
• ISSN: 0378-1135; 1873-2542
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.05.014

•Cattle, sheep, goat and yak sera collected from across China were tested for neutralising antibody to Akabane virus (AKAV).•AKAV neutralising antibody was detected in 23 of 24 provinces sampled (2006–2014).•Overall seroprevalence rates were 21.3% in cattle (471/2215) and 12.0% in sheep/goats (17/142); there was no evidence of AKAV infection in yak (0/374).•Neutralising antibodies to Aino virus and Peaton virus (but not five other Simbu group bunayviruses or closely related Leanyer virus) were also detected but only in a selection of AKAV-positive sera. Akabane virus (AKAV) is a member of the Simbu serogroup, classified in the genus Orthobunyavirus, family Bunyaviridae. AKAV infection can cause abortion, stillbirth, and congenital arthrogryposis and hydranencephaly in cattle and sheep. The distribution and prevalence of AKAV infection in China is still unknown. A total of 2731 sera collected from 2006 to 2015 in 24 provinces of China from cattle, sheep, goats and yak were examined by serum neutralisation test. The overall seroprevalence rates for AKAV antibodies were 21.3% in cattle (471/2215) and 12.0% (17/142) in sheep or goats, and 0% in yak (0/374). The results indicated widespread AKAV infection in China among cattle and sheep but yak appear to have a low risk of infection. Using a selection of 50 AKAV-positive and 25 AKAV-negative cattle sera, neutralisation tests were also conducted to detect antibodies to several other Simbu serogroup bunyaviruses and closely related Leanyer virus. Although inconclusive, the data suggest that both Aino virus and Peaton virus, which have been reported previously in Japan and Korea, may also be present in cattle in China.