The exact vegetation zone where the animals became exposed to the viruses could, however, not be decided in this study

The exact vegetation zone where the animals became exposed to the viruses could, however, not be decided in this study. the rainforest vegetation zone. The seroprevalence was significantly higher in sheep obtained from live animal markets compared to farms (OR?=?5.8). Screening of 20 selected ELISA-positive sera by Bethoxazin serum neutralisation test showed that all were positive for one or more of SBV, SIMV and SHAV with the highest titres obtained for SHAV. Antibodies to SBV or a closely related computer virus were detected in the Sudan Elf2 savannah and rainforest zones, anti-SIMV antibodies?were detected only in the rainforest zone, while anti-SHAV antibodies were found in the three vegetation zones. Conclusion The findings of this study reveal that following Bethoxazin the early isolation of Simbu serogroup viruses in Nigeria in the 1960s, members of this virus group are still circulating in the country. Specifically, SBV, SIMV and SHAV or closely related viruses infect cattle and sheep across the three vegetation zones of Nigeria suggesting that insect vector activity is extensive in the country. The exact vegetation zone where the animals became exposed to the viruses could, however, not be determined in this study. Keywords: Schmallenberg virus, Simbu virus, Shamonda virus, Cattle, Sheep, ELISA, Neutralizing antibodies Background The order currently consists of more than 350 viruses that are distributed among 13 genera in nine families, thus making it one of the largest orders of RNA viruses. Of these genera, the genus (family biting midges, possess a tripartite RNA genome and share common genetic features but are serologically unrelated to viruses in other genera of the and many are pathogenic to humans and animals [4, 5]. In particular, the Simbu serogroup comprises at least 25 viruses that are currently divided into seven species, namely: Akabane virus (AKAV), Manzanilla virus, Oropouche virus, Sathuperi virus (SATV), Shamonda virus (SHAV), Shuni virus (SHUV) and Simbu Bethoxazin virus (SIMV) [1, 2]. Several of these Simbu serogroup viruses are known to be teratogenic in ruminants [6] causing abortions, stillbirths and congenital abnormalities. While some members such as SHAV, SHUV, Sabo, and Sango viruses are less frequently examined, AKAV, Aino virus (AINV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV) are the most studied in this serogroup [7C10]. Virus isolation or serological methods have been used to detect Simbu serogroup viruses in domestic animals, wildlife, mosquitoes and from Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East [11C19]. Although different assays including serum neutralization test (SNT), immunofluorescence (IF) assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) have been used for the serologic detection of previous infections with these viruses [16, 20C22], specific detection of antibodies against them can be achieved by SNT [20]. Simbu serogroup viruses have been reported to cause severe economic losses to the livestock industry Bethoxazin worldwide [23, 24]. However, information on their presence in Africa is still relatively scarce. In Nigeria, where the climate favours vector activity, early arboviral studies [7, 25] led to the isolation of Simbu serogroup viruses including SHAV, Sabo, Sango, SHUV and SATV viruses from cattle, goats and biting midges. However, for about five decades there has been no information on the prevalence, geographical distribution and reproductive impact of these viruses despite reports of abortions, stillbirths and congenital malformations in the countrys ruminant population [26C28]. Recent studies based on commercial ELISAs to elucidate the role of Simbu serogroup viruses in the occurrence of reproductive disorders and congenital malformations among ruminants in Nigeria provided Bethoxazin serologic evidence of AKAV, SBV or closely related viruses [19, 29]. However, because of.