Correlation between FMDV and Antibodies in Milk and Blood of Infected Lactating Ewes

FMDV type O, A and their specific antibodies were detected in milk and blood of 2 groups of experimentally infected ewes aiming to investigate thecorrelation between FMDV and antibodies in milk and blood of infected lactating ewes. FMD virus types O and A inoculated into the mammary gland of dairy ewes one week post parturition. ELISA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used as diagnostic tools for detecting FMDV in milk and blood from infected ewes. FMDV disseminated from the inoculated udder was firstly detected at 18^th hours post inoculation using ELISA and (RT-PCR). FMDV were detected by ELISA with 80% for types O&A and 40& 60% for type O & A, respectively by tissue culture isolation. FMDV continued detected in milk for 23 days post infection in the two groups. Also FMDV (O &A) were detected in blood by ELISA at the 30^th hours and continued for 8 days post infection. Specific protective antibodies were detected in blood and milk at the 2^nd and 3^rd weeks post udder inoculation (WPI), respectively by ELISA and the antibody titer continued with a protective level till 10 WPI in milk against type O&A. Seven from positive samples to FMD virus by ELISA were confirmed by RT-PCR, (four samples were serotype O and three were serotype A). The features that influence sample quality appear by RT-PCR as they can detect FMDV genomic RNA.Otherwise FMD antibody titer continued with a protective level till the 20^th (WPI) in serum of infected ewes with type O & A. So, it is clear that there is a clear correlation between FMDV and its antibodies in milk and blood of infected ewes. These findings reflect the relationship between the incidence of FMDV and its antibodies in the milk and blood of infected ewes and spot the light on the possibility of FMDV transmission from ewes to their lambs through suckling and we paying attention to the importance of milk examination to detect the virus incidence as early as possible to avoid the outbreaks.