Investigation On Infection Site Of Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Among Goats In Anhui Province

Objective To investigate the infection situation of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus among goats in different areas of Anhui Province, and to explore the possibility of the existence of natural foci, so as to provide basis for the prevention and control.Methods According to the surveillance data of SFTS in Anhui Province during 2011 to 2014,We selected Jinzhai, Tongcheng and Guangde county as investigation points. We used e Trex 301 GPS apparatus to record Latitude and longitude of the residence of SFTS cases and goats living nearby. We also collected information on the age, feeding patterns, growth time of goats. Venous blood was collected from goatsand goat feeders. All the serum samples were detected for antibody to SFTSV using double antigen sandwich ELISA and SFTSV RNA with real time PCR method. Microsoft Office Excel 2010 and SPSS 13.0 were used to establish a data-base and to analyze data. The statistical analysis technique included Chi-Square test. Map Info 9.5 software was used to draw geographical distribution.Results From May to August of 2015 Our study investigated 25 sites, and among which goat sera SFTSV antibodies were positive in 20 sites.. There was statistically significant difference in the seroprevalence rate of SFTSV antibodies between different sites with different feeding patterns of goats(P<0.001). Totally 234 blood samples of goats were collected and SFTSV RNA were not detected. However, 54.39%(124/228) blood samples of goats were positive for antibodies to SFTSV. The positive rate of SFTSV antibodies seroprevalence among goats with growth time more than 1 year was high thanthe goats with growth time less than 1 year. The goat sera SFTSV antibodies positive rates of Jinzhai and Tongcheng county were significantly higher than Guangde county.In Tongcheng county we found that sera SFTSV antibodies of two goat changed from negative to positive after 6 months. SFTSV sera antibodies of 23 goat feeders were all negative.Conclusions Goats are useful animals to explore SFTSV natural infection foci. Living in different areas, the risk of SFTSV infection of the goats is different. In the case of similar infection risk, the longer goats living in the risk area, the higher the risk of SFTSV infected. The goats with different feeding patterns have significant difference on the infection status of SFTSV. The seroprevalence rate of SFTSV antibodies of free range goats is higher than captive goats. Among free range goats, goats living in the field have higher infection risk of SFTSV.