Detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus antibodies in camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) antibodies in camels presented for slaughter at the Maiduguri abattoir using a BVDV specific indirect enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Ninety (90) serum samples collected from adult male and female camels were tested for BVDV antibodies. From the samples tested, 28 (31.1%) were positive for BVDV. The sex distribution of the positive samples showed 7 (33.3%) males and 21 (30.4%) females were positive for BVDV antibodies. The results showed no statistically significant (p<0.05) difference in the sex prevalence of camels observed in the study. This finding demonstrates the presence of BVDV antibodies in camels in Maiduguri. Further studies will be required to elucidate the epidemiology of BVDV infection in camels and other livestock species in the study area.

Keywords: Antibodies, Bovine viral diarrhea virus, Camels, Nigeria, Seroprevalence