Seroprevalence of Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in Rupandehi and Palpa Districts of Nepal

Abstract
| A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in the Rupandehi and Palpa districts of Nepal. A total of 89 goat serum samples were tested by using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) for the presence of antibodies against Mycoplasma capricolum capripneumoniae . Out of the total serum sample tested, 3 were seropositive for CCPP giving an overall apparent seroprevalence of 3.37% and true seroprevalence of 3.4%. Significantly higher seroprevalence (p<0.05) was observed among goats with a history of respiratory symptoms. This study revealed the goat population in Rupandehi (district bordering India) and Palpa districts are at high risk of acquiring CCPP infection. Therefore, appropriate preventive measures including regular research and investigation, vaccination and regulatory policies on transboundary animal movements should be implemented to prevent the potential outbreak of the disease. This is the first-ever report of sero-detection of CCPP antibodies in the goat population of Nepal. This article confirms the presence of CCPP in Nepal and the potential circulation of the pathogen to other parts of the country warranting the concerned authorities and farmers to be vigilant for keeping this disease at bay.