Seroprevalence of Bovine Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 (bPI-3V) in Ruminants from Grenada

Respiratory viral infections are known for serious economic losses in ruminants. Bovine parain-fluenza 3 virus (bPI-3V) a member of Respirovirus genus in association with other respiratory viruses causes respiratory disease complex in ruminants. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of bPI-3V in non vaccinated cattle, sheep and goats from Grenada. Sera were collected randomly from 60 sheep, 60 goats and 60 cattle from all six parishes of Grenada. Sera were tested for antibodies to bPI-3V using an indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA) kit. Antibodies to bPI-3V were detected in 13.4% (Confidence Level (CL): 95%;Confidence Interval (CI): 4.76% to 22.02%) in cattle;16.7% (CL: 95%;CI: 7.26% to 26.14%) in sheep and 11.7% (CL: 95%;CI: 3.57% to 19.83%) in goats. There was statistically no significant difference in prevalence (p > 0.05) of antibodies to bPI-3V in cattle, sheep and goats in Grenada. This is the first report on seroprevalence of bPI-3V in ruminants in Grenada, West Indies.

Evaluation of Sensitivity and Positive Predictive Values of Cytopathologic Diagnosis of Solid Masses in Dogs

In this retrospective study, a total of 275 solid masses were examined for cytopathologic diagnosis. Twenty four percent (67/275) of these cytologic samples were followed by surgical biopsy and histopathologic diagnosis, allowing for comparisons. On average, the cutaneous and subcutaneous solid masses were recognized when the dogs were aged between 6 and 9 years old. The origins of the solid masses included connective tissue tumors 37.1% (23/62), epithelial tissue tumors 33.9% (21/62), round cell tumors 19.4% (12/62), masses of inflammatory lesions 4.8% (3/62) and lesions due to other causes 4.8% (3/62). The sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of cytopathology in the diagnosis of solid masses were 93% (62/67) and 97% (62/64), respectively. Generally, neo-plasms were over diagnosed by cytopathology as was indicated by the positive predictive value. Both the sensitivity and the PPV of cytopathology comparative to histopathology in the diagnosis of inflammatory processes were 100% (3/3). The inflammatory lesions were eventually confirmed as necrotizing myositis, necro-suppurative cystitis and endocrine inflammatory dermatopathy based on histopathology. Less than 8% (5/67) of samples were incorrectly diagnosed by cytology. The study showed high accuracy between cytological and histopathological examination of solid masses in dogs, and thus a reliable diagnostic tool in patient care.

Seroprevalence of Bluetongue Virus Antibody in Ruminants from Grenada

The aim of the present study was to estimate the seroprevalence of antibodies to bluetongue virus (BTV) among domestic ruminants of Grenada. Sera samples from cattle (133), goat (314) and sheep (481) were tested using competitive Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). Of the total of 928 samples tested, the overall BTV seroprevalence was 78.4% (95% confidence interval (CI ± 2.65). The seropositivity of ovine, caprine and bovine was found to be 71.7% (95% CI, 67.67% to 75.73%), 80.2% (95% CI, 75.79% to 84.61%) and 98.5% (95% CI, 96.43% to 100.57%), respectively. There was statistical significance in the seroprevalence of BTV among bovine, caprine and ovine (p < 0.05). It is evident from this study that blue tongue virus is endemic in Grenada.

Seroprevalence of <i>Neospora caninum</i>in Sheep and Goats from Grenada, West Indies

Neospora caninum (N. caninum), an intracellular protozoan parasite, causes abortion and neonatal mortality in many herbivores including sheep and goats. The aim of this study was to estimate the Seroprevalence of N. caninum in sheep and goats in Grenada, West Indies. Sera were collected from 138 sheep and 138 goats from all six parishes of Grenada and Carriacou, a small island within Grenada. Animals were identified by gender. Sera were tested for antibodies for N. caninum using an indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA) multispecies Kit from Pourquire Laboratorie (IDvet, France). Antibodies to N. caninum were detected in 18 of 138 sheep (13%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 7.39% to 18.61%) and 8 of 138 goats (5.8%, 95% CI: 1.9% to 9.7%). Although seropositivity was high in female sheep and in male goats, there was no statistical difference in seropositivity of males and females in both species of animals (p > 0.05, χ2). The results of this study revealed that sheep and goats in Grenada were exposed to N. caninum and dogs might be considered as a source of infection. There was a need to educate the farmers, possessing small ruminants, about the transmission cycle of N. caninum and methods of prevention, to minimize the exposure of their flocks. This is the first report on seroprevalence of N. caninum in Grenada, West Indies.

Prevalence of Antibodies to <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>and <i>Neospora caninum</i>in Pigs in Grenada, West Indies

The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and Neospora caninum (N. caninum) in pigs in Grenada, West Indies. T. gondii is a serious zoonosis affecting the unborn fetus and immunocompromized individuals. N. caninum is a similar coccidian parasite, which is not zoonotic, but is the cause of abortion and neonatal mortality in livestock similar to T. gondii. An earlier study conducted in Grenada and using a modified agglutination test (MAT) revealed seropositivity to T. gondii in pigs. No information is available on N. caninum infection of pigs in the Caribbean islands including Grenada. Serum samples from 185 pigs in Grenada, West Indies were tested for antibodies to T. gondii and N. caninum using an indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 24.3% of pigs (95% confidence interval (CI): 18.12% to 30.48%) as all the tested pigs were negative for antibodies to N. caninum. Although, seroprevalence for T. gondii was higher in females (25.75%) than in males (20.70%), this result was statistically insignificant (p = 0.57). The results were similar to a previous study in Grenada confirming the continuity of infection in pigs. Human Toxoplasmosis is transmitted mainly through ingestion of tissue cysts in contaminated raw or undercooked meat or sporulated oocysts in soil, water or vegetables. Education of farmers and the Grenadian community on epidemiology of these parasites is warranted to prevent infection in pigs and in humans. This is the first report on the seroprevalence of N. caninum in pigs in the Caribbean region.

Current Status of <i>M. hyopneumoniae</i>in Pigs in Grenada, West Indies

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, cause of enzootic pneumonia is known for serious economic losses in pigs. The disease is prevalent all over the world. There is no published report on Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae incidence in Grenadian pigs. The aim of this study was to estimate seroprevalence of antibodies for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in non vaccinated pigs in Grenada. Sera were collected randomly from 459 pigs of all ages from all six parishes of Grenada. Sera were tested for antibodies to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae using an indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA) kit. Antibodies to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae were found in 8.71% (95% CI: 0.0644 to 0.1167) pigs. The greatest percent of positives (62.5%) (95% CI: 0.4699 to 0.7582) were in youngest group 22.5% (95% CI: 0.1211 to 0.3771) in >2 year. Positive females were overrepresented compared to males by 3:1. This is the first report on the sero-prevalence of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in pigs from Grenada, West Indies.