Abstract

Background. Infectious diseases of the respiratory tract of farm animals are caused by a combination of infectious agents and predisposing factors. Parainfluenza virus type 3 is usually nominated as one of the causes. Seroprevalence and animal risk factors for PI3 infections were investigated in northern Jordan. Methods. The study involved 104 small ruminant flocks (18 sheep, 27 goats, and 59 mixed flocks sampled in northern Jordan. Indirect ELISA was used to test 678 blood samples used in this study. Flocks were identified as infected if at least 1 animal has been detected as positive by the ELISA test. Information regarding production and health management practices was collected in a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software SPSS 23 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results. Flock-level and individual-level seroprevalences were 97%, 37%, and 76%, 11% in sheep and goats respectively. Multivariable logistic regression applied for production and health management practices showed significant risk factors for: Climatic zone (OR= 0.3) was decreasing risk factor for the PI3 seropositivity. Young separated from dams (OR= 4), neonatal deaths (OR= 3), and milking manual (OR= 37.5) were increasing risk factors for the seropositivity of PI3. Conclusions. PI3 virus has a high prevalence in sheep than goats and two risk factors could increase the prevalence of PI3 in both sheep and goats.