Serological and molecular evidence of respiratory viral mixed infection in sheep and goats.

Respiratory infections are considered within the major constraints of animal production; viruses are the major causing pathogens. This study aimed to elucidate the prevalence of parainfluenza virus-3 (PIV-3), bovine viral diarrhea virus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in sheep and goats and the existence of co-infections. A total of 270 sheep and 220 goat pneumonic lung tissues were collected from slaughterhouses in four different areas. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the antigen of the three viruses, fluorescent antibody technique and polymerase chain reaction confirmed enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay positive results. Prevalence detected for PIV-3 was 11.10% in sheep and 9.50% in goats, pestivirus was 10.40% in sheep and 7.70% in goats, and RSV was 17.80% in sheep and 5.00% in goats. Detected co-infections were 5.60% for PIV-3 and pestivirus in sheep and 4.00% in goats and pestivirus and RSV was observed only in goats (1.40%). Co-infection of the three viruses was detected in only one goat sample (1.00%). The existence of the three viruses in sheep and goats was confirmed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the co-infections of PIV-3, pestivirus, and RSV in sheep and goats in the studied areas.