Investigation of some zoonotic viruses at south western of saudi arabia

Abstract

Saudi Arabia is one of the most important countries as a source of horses in the world. This study was applied on the horses in Najran area, southwest Saudi Arabia. Horses were screened for three arthropods borne viral diseases; African horse sickness (AHS), West Nile Virus (WNV) and Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) as well as one bacterial disease, brucellosis. Ninety two blood samples were collected from seven horse stables in the period from March to November 2017. ELISA was used for detection of AHS, WNV and EIA, while Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) was used for brucellosis. The results showed that 14 samples were positive for anti-WNV IgG with percent of 15.2%, while all samples were negative for anti-WNV IgM. Furthermore, 9.78%, of samples were positive for brucellosis. The infection was shown only in three stables, where horses are in close contact with ruminants. Horses were free of AHS and EIA. For the first time, brucellosis and WNV were detected in horse in Najran area of KSA. However, more investigations are required to further examine the brucellosis samples.