First detection and genetic characterization of peste des petits ruminants virus from dorcas gazelles “Gazella dorcas” in the Sudan, 2016-2017

• Published in: Archives of virology Vol. 164; no. 10; pp. 2537 - 2543
• Main Authors: Asil, Rayan M., Ludlow, Martin, Ballal, Abdelgadir, Alsarraj, Saafass, Ali, Wegdan H., Mohamed, Baraa A., Mutwakil, Shaza M., Osman, Nussieba A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vienna Springer Vienna 01.10.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Brief Report; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Epidemiology; Gazella; Gazella dorcas; Genotypes; Infectious Diseases; Medical Microbiology; National parks; Peste des petits ruminants; Phylogeny; Polymerase chain reaction; Reverse transcription; Virology; Sudan
• ISSN: 0304-8608; 1432-8798
• DOI: 10.1007/s00705-019-04330-w

In May 2017, many free-ranging dorcas gazelles ( Gazella dorcas ) with suspected signs of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) were reported in Dinder National Park, South-Eastern Sudan. Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) antigen and nucleic acid were detected in specimens from these gazelles using an immunocapture ELISA and a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. PPRV was also detected in four healthy semi-captive dorcas gazelles from two areas of Khartoum State. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these PPRV strains belonged to the lineage IV genotype. The present study demonstrates that gazelles are a potential wild small ruminant host for PPRV and may influence the epidemiology of PPR in the Sudan.