Serotypes of FMDV in African Buffaloes and Cattle in QENP

A cross-section study was done in Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) to determine the FMDV serotypes circulating in buffaloes and cattle. Serum and oropharygeal fluids (probang samples) were collected from African buffaloes (n=36) and cattle (n=114) from August 2011 to June 2012. Serum was screened using Priocheck FMDV NS ELISA and oro-pharyngeal probang samples were screened using Real-Time PCR. Serotype specific antibodies were determined by solid phase blocking ELISA (SPBE) and Virus Neutralization Test (VNT). The phylogenetic analysis showed that it belonged to the East African buffalo lineage and was closely related to the previously isolated SAT 2 FMD sequences Buffalo 6 QE with pair wise identity of 83%, and Buffalo 10 QE with pair wise identity of 82%. The findings confirmed that SAT serotypes are found among African buffaloes in QENP. This study also showed that the circulating FMDV stereotype antibodies in buffaloes and cattle were not the same since only antibodies against serotype; O were found in cattle sera while serotype; SAT 1 and SAT 2 in buffaloes by VNT.