Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia in the Small Ruminants of Oman

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is an economically important and potentially fatal disease of small ruminants caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp). We designed this cross-sectional study to investigate the seroepidemiology of CCPP in the small ruminants of Oman. For this purpose, we sampled a total of 4015 small ruminants (2119 goats and 1896 sheep) from 510 flocks belonging to different governorates of Oman. A commercial competitive enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (cELISA) was used to test the samples. Prevalence (%) along with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated, and a univariable analysis was conducted to screen different risk factors. Furthermore, a binary logistic regression model was built at the animal and flock- level (Table 3). In total, 147 (28.8%, CI 24.9, 33.0) flocks tested positive for the CCPP and the seroprevalence ranged from 10.0 to 53.8% in various governorates (p = 0.001). The prevalence was significantly (P<0.001) high in goats (28%, CI 23.8, 32.5) as compared to sheep (13.1%, CI 24.9, 33.0). At flock level; the open herds (OR 2.08, 1.33, 3.27), having a location in the coastal regions (OR 1.70, 1.14, 2.53) and flock size of more than 100 animals (OR 2.45, 1.54, 3.91) were the significant risk factors for CCPP in Oman. At the animal level; goats (OR 2.87, CI 2.17, 3.81), and small ruminants above the age of one year (OR 2.23, CI 1.38-3.59) were found more likely to acquire CCPP. We suggest that a control program based on the changes in the management system to minimize the risk factors and a possible mass vaccination should be devised to check CCPP in Oman. (C) 2020 PVJ. All rights reserved

Automated summary

The seroepidemiology of CCPP in small ruminants in Oman showed varying prevalence rates in different governorates, with goats having a significantly higher infection rate than sheep. At the flock level, open herds, coastal locations, and flock sizes of more than 100 animals were identified as significant risk factors for CCPP. At the animal level, goats and small ruminants above the age of one year were found to be more likely to acquire CCPP.