Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in the Sudan: Investigation of Recent Outbreaks, Virus Isolation and Cell Culture Spectrum

The occurrence of peste des petits ruminants (PPR), which was reported to cause high losses in sheep and goats in the Sudan, was investigated in four different states (Khartoum, Gezira, White Nile, River Nile and Kordofan). The disease affected sheep only. Cattle, goats and in some cases camels grassing alongside sheep did not show any signs of disease. The morbidity and mortality rates varied from one area to another with a mean of 27.2% and 14.9 %, respectively. Relatively higher mortality rate (21%) was recorded in Northern State where the disease appeared for the first time. PPR virus (PPRV) antigen was detected in samples from all areas using agar gel precipitation test (AGPT). PPRV was isolated in primary lamb kidney cells and identified by AGDT and immunocapture ELISA. To determine cell culture spectrum, calf kidney, lamb testicle, chick embryo fibroblast, BHK and VERO cells were inoculated with reference as well as local isolate of PPR. Rapid growth of the virus was seen in chick embryo fibroblast and BHK cells.