A longitudinal serological survey of respiratory virus infections in lambs

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Abstract
Serum collected at monthly intervals from groups of lambs on 4 farms in Hawkes Bay, was tested for antibody against parainfluenza virus type 3 (PI3) and the adenovirus (AV) WV 757/75. The lungs of fat lambs from these flocks were examined for the presence of pneumonia and pleurisy at slaughter. Maternal antibody against both viruses was detected in August. The titres decreased until all animals were susceptible to PI3 at the January sampling and susceptible to the AV in January, February or March. The first new infections with PL, were detected in February or March and with the AV in March or April. Both infections spread through the flocks over a period of 3 to 6 months. In slaughtered lambs, the prevalence of pneumonia was low in November and December but rose to 20 to 30% in March and June after the virus infections had passed through the flocks. These data suggest that these viruses may have a role in the development of ovine pneumonia although no causal relationship was established.