Antibodies against pseudorabies virus in feral swine in southeast Brazil

Abstract

Serum samples collected from 358 wild boars (Sus scrofa) in breeding farms in São Paulo, southeast Brazil, from 1998 to 2001, were tested for antibodies against pseudorabies virus (PRV) by means of serum neutralization (SN) and enzyme-linked immunobsorbent assay (ELISA). Seropositive animals were detected in three of seven herds analyzed. Overall seroprevalence as assessed by SN was 30.7%, ranging from 25.2% to 100% for the herds that presented seropositive animals. Indirect ELISA detected lower seroprevalence (19.3%). Sensitivity and specificity of ELISA were equal to 57.3% and 97.6%, respectively. Agreement was equal to 85.2% (P<0.0001). These results showed that PRV infections occurred in farmed feral swine in southeast Brazil, and affect pseudorabies eradication program.