Seroprevalence of Maedi-Visna in sheep in Khuzestan province

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of Meadi-Visna infection and its association with some host determinants and geographical location in sheep in Khuzestan province. Serum samples were randomly collected from 368 sheep in Ahvaz، Hendijan، Baghmalek، Gotvand، Masjed Soleiman and Dezfool cities were examined by ELISA assay. Seroperevalence rate of Meadi-Visna was 30. 7 % (95% CI: 26-35. 4%). Logistic regression showed that the odds of infection was increased with the increase of age (OR: 1. 09 and 95% CI: 0. 96-1. 23). Relative frequency of infection in male and female animals was 33. 3 and 30. 5%، respectively (P>0. 05) and odds of infection in male sheep increased 1. 2 fold (95% CI: 0. 25-2. 77) than females. Prevalence rate in sheep with and without history of abortion were 38. 9% and 30. 6%، respectively (P>0. 05) and odds of infection in sheep with history of abortion was 1. 35 fold (95%CI: 0. 51-3. 58) than the other. Prevalence rate in Ahvaz، Hendijan، Dezfool، Baghmalek، Masjedsoleiman، Susangerd and Gotvand were 39. 5%، 20. 5%، 48%، 36%، 35. 9%، 8. 8% and 21. 4%، respectively (P<0. 001) and 11. 2% of fluctuation of infection was justified by geographical location. This study confirms that Meadi-Visna virus exists in Khuzestan province، so preventive and control programs should be considered by health authorities.