Abstract

The maedi-visna virus (MVV) classified as a lentivirus of the retroviridae family, causes a very common economically important disease in sheep, in many parts of the worlds. Presences of the infection in Turkey have been shown by researches in previous studies. In this study all blood samples were examined by ELISA and PCR to detect MVV antibody and antigen responses, respectively. Hematological findings were monitored and comparing antibody and antigen positive naturally infected (n= 5), antibody positive and antigen negative (n=20), antibody and antigen negative (n=20) in sheep was done. When infected sheep were compared with control sheep, Hgb and MPV parameters were shown statistically different (P≤0.001). These findings suggested that MVV infections should be considered as an important health risk for sheep flock and Hgb and MPV blood parameters may be helpful to diagnosis of MVV.

Key words: ELISA, hematology, lentivirus, PCR, sheep.