Epidemiological Insights into Maedi-Visna Virus in Algeria: First National Seroprevalence Survey and Risk Factor Profiling in Sheep Herds

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 nation...

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Main Authors: Takfarinas Idres, Nasir Adam Ibrahim, Ali Lamara, Sofiane Boudjellaba, Assia Derguini, Nosiba Sulaiman Basher, Soraya Temim, Mohammed Saad Aleissa, Yahia Chebloune
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/15/2166
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author Takfarinas Idres
Nasir Adam Ibrahim
Ali Lamara
Sofiane Boudjellaba
Assia Derguini
Nosiba Sulaiman Basher
Soraya Temim
Mohammed Saad Aleissa
Yahia Chebloune
author_facet Takfarinas Idres
Nasir Adam Ibrahim
Ali Lamara
Sofiane Boudjellaba
Assia Derguini
Nosiba Sulaiman Basher
Soraya Temim
Mohammed Saad Aleissa
Yahia Chebloune
author_sort Takfarinas Idres
collection DOAJ
description 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%; <i>p</i> < 0.05), age (1–5 years: 6.86% vs. <1 year: 0.29%; <i>p</i> = 0.01), and region (Central: 3.36% vs. Eastern: 0.86%; <i>p</i> < 0.05). Notably, no association was found with breed or farming system (<i>p</i> ≥ 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.
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spelling doaj-art-ae9b5cf937ca456cbc46fd1c1f3091e72025-08-20T04:00:54ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-07-011515216610.3390/ani15152166Epidemiological Insights into Maedi-Visna Virus in Algeria: First National Seroprevalence Survey and Risk Factor Profiling in Sheep HerdsTakfarinas Idres0Nasir Adam Ibrahim1Ali Lamara2Sofiane Boudjellaba3Assia Derguini4Nosiba Sulaiman Basher5Soraya Temim6Mohammed Saad Aleissa7Yahia Chebloune8Laboratory for Livestock Animal Production and Health Research, Rabie Bouchama National Veterinary School of Algiers, Issad ABBAS Street, BP 161 Oued Semar, Algiers 16059, AlgeriaBiology Department, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11623, Saudi ArabiaLaboratory for Livestock Animal Production and Health Research, Rabie Bouchama National Veterinary School of Algiers, Issad ABBAS Street, BP 161 Oued Semar, Algiers 16059, AlgeriaResearch Laboratory for Management of Local Animal Resources, Rabie Bouchama National Veterinary School of Algiers, Issad ABBAS Street, BP 161 Oued Semar, Algiers 16059, AlgeriaMicrobial Ecology Laboratory, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Abderrahmane MIRA University, Bejaïa 06000, AlgeriaBiology Department, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11623, Saudi ArabiaLaboratory for Livestock Animal Production and Health Research, Rabie Bouchama National Veterinary School of Algiers, Issad ABBAS Street, BP 161 Oued Semar, Algiers 16059, AlgeriaBiology Department, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11623, Saudi ArabiaPathogenesis and Lentivirus Vaccination Laboratory, Grenoble Alpes University, 570 rue de la Chimie, Saint Martin d’Hères, 38400 Grenoble, FranceMaedi-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%; <i>p</i> < 0.05), age (1–5 years: 6.86% vs. <1 year: 0.29%; <i>p</i> = 0.01), and region (Central: 3.36% vs. Eastern: 0.86%; <i>p</i> < 0.05). Notably, no association was found with breed or farming system (<i>p</i> ≥ 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/15/2166maedi-visna virussmall ruminant lentivirusesseroprevalenceAlgeriarisk factorsprogressive pneumonia
spellingShingle Takfarinas Idres
Nasir Adam Ibrahim
Ali Lamara
Sofiane Boudjellaba
Assia Derguini
Nosiba Sulaiman Basher
Soraya Temim
Mohammed Saad Aleissa
Yahia Chebloune
Epidemiological Insights into Maedi-Visna Virus in Algeria: First National Seroprevalence Survey and Risk Factor Profiling in Sheep Herds
Animals
maedi-visna virus
small ruminant lentiviruses
seroprevalence
Algeria
risk factors
progressive pneumonia
title Epidemiological Insights into Maedi-Visna Virus in Algeria: First National Seroprevalence Survey and Risk Factor Profiling in Sheep Herds
title_full Epidemiological Insights into Maedi-Visna Virus in Algeria: First National Seroprevalence Survey and Risk Factor Profiling in Sheep Herds
title_fullStr Epidemiological Insights into Maedi-Visna Virus in Algeria: First National Seroprevalence Survey and Risk Factor Profiling in Sheep Herds
title_full_unstemmed Epidemiological Insights into Maedi-Visna Virus in Algeria: First National Seroprevalence Survey and Risk Factor Profiling in Sheep Herds
title_short Epidemiological Insights into Maedi-Visna Virus in Algeria: First National Seroprevalence Survey and Risk Factor Profiling in Sheep Herds
title_sort epidemiological insights into maedi visna virus in algeria first national seroprevalence survey and risk factor profiling in sheep herds
topic maedi-visna virus
small ruminant lentiviruses
seroprevalence
Algeria
risk factors
progressive pneumonia
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/15/2166
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