Idres Takfarinas, Ibrahim Nasir Adam, Lamara Ali, Boudjellaba Sofiane, Derguini Assia, Basher Nosiba Sulaiman, Temim Soraya, Aleissa Mohammed Saad, Chebloune Yahia
Laboratory for Livestock Animal Production and Health Research, Rabie Bouchama National Veterinary School of Algiers, Issad ABBAS Street, BP 161 Oued Semar, Algiers 16059, Algeria.
Biology Department, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia.
Animals (Basel). 2025 Jul 23;15(15):2166. doi: 10.3390/ani15152166.
Maedi-visna virus (MVV), a small ruminant lentivirus causing chronic multisystemic disease in sheep, poses significant economic burdens due to reduced productivity and a lack of effective treatments. Despite its worldwide prevalence, epidemiological data from Algeria remain absent. This first national seroprevalence study aimed to elucidate MVV distribution, risk factors, and transmission dynamics in Algerian sheep herds. A cross-sectional survey of 1400 sheep across four regions (East, Center, West, South) was conducted, with sera analyzed via indirect ELISA (IDvet). Risk factors (geography, age, sex, breed, farming system) were evaluated using chi-square tests and Cramer's V. Overall seroprevalence was 9.07% (95% CI: 7.57-10.57), with significant variation by sex (females: 20.44% vs. males: 3.68%; < 0.05), age (1-5 years: 6.86% vs. <1 year: 0.29%; = 0.01), and region (Central: 3.36% vs. Eastern: 0.86%; < 0.05). Notably, no association was found with breed or farming system ( ≥ 0.08), contrasting prior studies and suggesting region-specific transmission dynamics. Females exhibited heightened seropositivity, implicating prolonged herd retention and vertical transmission risks. Geographic disparities highlighted industrialized farming in central Algeria as a potential transmission amplifier. Strikingly, seronegative animals in high-prevalence herds hinted at genetic resistance, warranting further investigation. This study provides foundational insights into MVV epidemiology in North Africa, underscoring the need for targeted surveillance, ewe-focused control measures, and genetic research to mitigate transmission. The absence of prior national data elevates its significance, offering actionable frameworks for resource-limited settings and enriching the global understanding of SRLV heterogeneity.
梅迪 - 维斯纳病毒（MVV）是一种导致绵羊慢性多系统疾病的小反刍兽慢病毒，由于生产力下降和缺乏有效治疗方法，造成了重大经济负担。尽管该病毒在全球范围内流行，但阿尔及利亚仍缺乏流行病学数据。这项首次全国血清流行率研究旨在阐明MVV在阿尔及利亚羊群中的分布、风险因素和传播动态。对四个地区（东部、中部、西部、南部）的1400只绵羊进行了横断面调查，并通过间接ELISA（IDvet）分析血清。使用卡方检验和克莱默V系数评估风险因素（地理位置、年龄、性别、品种、养殖系统）。总体血清流行率为9.07%（95%置信区间：7.57 - 10.57），在性别（雌性：20.44% 对雄性：3.68%；P < 0.05）、年龄（1 - 5岁：6.86% 对 <1岁：0.29%；P = 0.01）和地区（中部：3.36% 对东部：0.86%；P < 0.05）方面存在显著差异。值得注意的是，未发现与品种或养殖系统有关联（P ≥ 0.08），这与之前的研究形成对比，表明存在特定地区的传播动态。雌性表现出更高的血清阳性率，这意味着长期保留羊群和垂直传播风险。地理差异突出表明阿尔及利亚中部的工业化养殖是一个潜在的传播放大器。令人惊讶的是，高流行率羊群中的血清阴性动物暗示存在遗传抗性，值得进一步研究。这项研究为北非的MVV流行病学提供了基础见解，强调了有针对性监测、以母羊为重点的控制措施以及遗传研究以减轻传播的必要性。此前缺乏全国性数据提高了其重要性，为资源有限的环境提供了可操作的框架，并丰富了全球对小反刍兽慢病毒异质性的理解。
