Seroprevalence of Bovine Leukemia Virus Infection in Cattle in Muş Province, Türkiye

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is known as the causative agent of enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL), which is a worldwide distributed disease and has also been detected in marketed beef and dairy products. BLV causes significant economic losses due to the loss of milk and yield or the slaughter of animals without adequate development. It has been reported in epidemiological studies that this infection is common in Türkiye, especially in the western provinces. There is no data on the possible presence or prevalence of BLV infection and its seroepidemiology in Muş province. The aim of this study is to determine the possible presence and prevalence of the infection, its role in yield losses, and to obtain epidemiological data on cattle farming in the Muş district. For this purpose, 300 blood serum samples were collected from cattle aged six months and older in the province of Muş and its different districts. The blood serum samples taken were tested for the presence of BLV-specific antibodies by agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (C-ELISA) methods. As a result of the study, all of the controlled districts were evaluated as negative in the AGID and C-ELISA tests for the presence of BLV-specific antibodies. In conclusion, for the first time, it was demonstrated that cattle farming in the Muş province were BLV-free during the sampling period. Although BLV seropositivity was not detected in the tested animals, it is emphasized that the control of infection and eradication program should not be ignored.