Relationship between Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence and lamb marking in South Australian sheep flocks.

Objective: Toxoplasmosis in sheep has negative impacts on reproductive performance. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence in Toxoplasma gondii infection in the South Australian sheep population, and assess any association between within-flock prevalence and reproductive efficiency (measured by lamb marking percentage), climatic region and rainfall.

Methods: A total of 875 individual mixed-age breeding ewes from 29 South Australian properties were blood sampled with an average of 30.

Evidence of infection with Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in South Australia: using wild rabbits as a sentinel species.

Objective: The aim of this study was to utilise wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as a sentinel species to study levels of environmental contamination with N. caninum and T. gondii in South Australia, and to examine associations with rainfall, climate and land use.

Seroprevalence of antibodies to Pestivirus infections in South Australian sheep flocks.

Objective: Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) and border disease virus (BDV) are of the genus Pestivirus. They are known to cause significant reproductive and production losses, with BVDV acknowledged as a major source of economic loss to the Australian cattle industry. Very little is currently known about the prevalence and effect of pestiviruses in the Australian sheep industry.

Perspectives on Current Challenges and Opportunities for Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus Eradication in Australia and New Zealand.

This review outlines the history of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) and the current situation in Australia and New Zealand. BVDV has been reported as present in cattle from both countries for close to 60 years. It rates as the second most economically significant disease afflicting cattle, and is highly prevalent and spread throughout the beef and dairy industries.

Investigation of AGID and two commercial ELISAs for the detection of Bovine viral diarrhea virus-specific antibodies in sheep serum.

Effective control and the eventual eradication of Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) from cattle populations depend on the accurate identification of infected animals. Although typically a disease agent of cattle, BVDV is known to infect a wide variety of nonbovine species, including sheep. However, validation of serologic tests in these nonbovine species, particularly sheep, is lacking.