POST-EXPOSURE PESTE DES PETITS RUMINANTS VACCINATION WITH CONCURRENT ANTIBACTERIAL THERAPY INFLUENCES THE DISEASE OUTCOMES FOLLOWING NATURAL EXPOSURE TO PESTE DES PETITS RUMINANTS VIRUS IN GOATS

Abstract

The effects of post-exposure peste des petits ruminants (PPR) vaccination, with or without antibacterial treatment in the management of peste des petits ruminants outbreaks was investigated in West African dwarf goats. Twenty (20) naïve male goats divided into five (5) groups were used. Natural exposure to PPR virus was achieved by co-habiting experimental goats with bELISA-confirmed clinically sick goats. Following the onset of PPR clinical signs, the animals were treated as follows: Group A (Oxytetracycline); Group B (PPR vaccine); Group C (PPR vaccine and Oxytetracycline); while Groups D and E served as PPR positive and PPR negative controls, respectively. Clinical scores were evaluated daily. Haematological profiles and serum PPR specific antibodies were evaluated pre-exposure and on days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 post treatment. All the PPR exposed goats were seropositive for PPRV by day 1 post vaccination/treatment. The disease ran a peracute to acute course in all the exposed groups with overall clinical scores of 4.38; 7.05 and 6.98, in groups A, B and D, respectively, with 100% mortality. Group C had the least score (3.90) with 50% mortality. The total leukocyte count showed a leukopenia due to lymphopenia in groups A and D while groups B and C values were within normal range. The findings from this study show that post-exposure PPR vaccination of goats with concurrent antibacterial therapy may alter the clinical course of the disease, resulting in higher survivability. Hence this management approach should be encouraged in the face of an outbreak