Bovine Parainfluenza-3 virus (bPI-3V) is in the genus Respirovirus of the subfamily Paramyxovirinae, order Mononegavirales, of the family Paramyxoviridae. The genus Respirovirus also includes the genetically and antigenetically related human parainfluenza viruses types 1 and 3 (hPI₁V and hPI₃V) [1] . RNA of bPI-3V is single and continuous with a molecular weight of 4.5 × 10⁶ Daltons [2] . Various genotypes of the bPI-3 virus have been identified. Harwood et al. [3] proposed 2 distinct bPI-3 V genotypes (bPI-3Va and bPI-3Vb). The virulence of the virus varies with different isolates.

Respiratory viral infections cause serious economic losses in ruminants. It has been reported that bovine parainfluenza virus (bPI-3V), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), and bovine herpes virus-1 (BHV-1) are the main viral etiological agents involved in respiratory disease complex in ruminants. Along with bacteria and Mycoplasma these viruses cause serious illness. Clinical disease in small and large ruminants is usually mild, with symptoms of fever, nasal discharge and cough. Complications occur with co-infection of other respiratory viruses due to immunosuppressive effects of bPI-3V [1] .

The bPI-3V infects both large and small ruminants and is transmitted primarily by droplets. Cross transmission can also occur among these species.

The bPI-3V was first isolated in the United States in 1959 from dairy cattle [4] . Following this study, Abinanti et al. [5] reported bPI-3 antibodies in a wide geographical distribution in cattle in the USA. bPI-3V has been recognized to be endemic in beef and dairy cattle populations in Europe, Asia, Africa and North and South America. Reports of bPI-3 infection in bovines are available from Nigeria [6] , Turkey [7] [8] , India [9] , Canada [10] , Iran [11] [12] , Lithuania [13] , Saudi Arabia [14] [15] , Mexico [16] [17] , Brazil [18] , Syria [19] and France [20] .

Limited reports are available on bPI-3V infection in small ruminants. Available reports are from Egypt [21] , Romania [22] , Turkey [23] [24] , Canada [25] , Brazil [18] and Japan [26] .

Grenada is the southernmost island country in the southeastern Caribbean Sea, with an area of approximately 348.5 km² and a population estimated at 100,000. The country consists of 6 parishes. The country with low hills, small trees and shrubs, and tropical climate is most suitable for small ruminant production. Sheep and goats are kept for meat and milk. Estimated population size is 3000 sheep, 2500 goats and 1500 cattle in Grenada (Dr. Bowen Louison, Chief Veterinary Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Land, Forestry, Fisheries and Environment: personal communication). Cattle in Grenada are kept for meat purpose.

As far as we are aware, there is no published report on the presence of bPI-3V infection of ruminants in the Caribbean region. The aim of this project was to estimate the prevalence of antibodies to bPI-3V in ruminants of Grenada.

The seroprevalence of bPI-3V in cattle, sheep and goats was 13.4%, 16.7% and 11.7% respectively. The results are summarized in Table 1.

Diagnosis of bPI-3 V is difficult using clinical signs only. Diagnosis is mostly based on isolation and identification of the virus coupled with demonstration of increasing antibody titer in paired sera [27] . Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and virus neutralization (VN) test are tests of choice for serology, but ELISA test is more

The prevalence of antibodies between ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats) is not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

rapid [1] . Assaf et al. [28] while comparing the results of HI test and ELISA, found the ELISA to be 4 - 64 times more sensitive than HI test. ELISA was used in present serology work for bPI-3V antibody detection in ruminants.

We found 13.4% (CI ± 8.62; 4.78% to 22.02%; Confidence Level: 95%) cattle positive for antibodies to bPI- 3V. A great variation in seroprevalence of antibodies for bPI-3V has been reported in cattle from various countries of the world. In the USA seroprevalence ranged from medium (53%) to high (95%) in different states [5] , high seroprevalence (97.5% to 100%) in Central and South Western France [20] . Peter and Lori [10] found a very high (93.9%) seroprevalence in cattle in Saskatchewan and Alberta; Sakhaee et al. [11] report 100% seropositivity in dairy herds of Iran, where as in another study in Iran Ezzi et al. [12] report 95% seropositivity. In Mexico 75% seropositivity was reported [16] . Moderate seropositivity (50% to 70%) has been reported from Turkey [7] [8] , North-Western Nigeria [6] , Lithuania [13] , and Soudi Arabia [13] [14] . Reports of low prevalence of antibodies to bPI-3V in cattle are scanty. However, similar to our findings of low seroprevalence, Mahajan et al. [9] found 20.0% seropositivity in dairy cattle of Punjab, India. The variation in the seropositivity may be because of the ubiquitous nature of the virus [29] and significant difference in weather in various countries of the world [12] .

The result of our study on seroprevalence in small ruminants showed antibodies to bPI-3V in sheep 16.7%; (CI ± 9.44; 7.26% to 26.14%; CL: 95%) and in goats 11.7% (CI ± 8.13; 3.57% to 19.83%; CL: 95%). There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in seropositivity among these species of small ruminants. Following the first isolation of bPI-3V from sheep in 1966 [30] serological survey in many countries has shown a wide spread distribution of this virus in sheep. Jehan et al. [21] on isolation and characterization of bPI-3 virus from sheep and goats in Egypt opined that infection in sheep was higher than that in goats. We also report higher rate of seropositivity in sheep (16.7%) than in goats (11.7%). However, Yesilbag and Gungor [23] reported in Turkey a lower prevalence of antibodies to bPI-3V in sheep (8.8%) than in goats (13.2%).

None of the literature reviewed investigated all three ruminants: cattle, sheep and goats in one area at the same time. We examined antibodies to bPI-3V simultaneously in cattle, sheep and goats in Grenada and found low level of seropositivity in all three ruminant species. Ruminants in Grenada are not vaccinated against bPI- 3V, thus, presence of antibodies to bPI-3V indicates exposure of bPI-3 virus. There is evidence of transmission of this virus between cattle and sheep and goats [27] . Grenadian famers practice housing of various livestock species in close proximity exposing them to potential cross infection.

This is the first report on the seroprevalence of bPI-3V in ruminants in Grenada. Further research to find out the exposure of ruminants in Grenada with other respiratory viruses is suggested.

This research was supported by Small Research Grant Initiative (SRGI # 14006) from the St. George’s University, Grenada (West Indies). Logistic support from Dr. S. Kumthekar and Mr. G. Stratton is sincerely acknowledged.

The authors declare that there is no competing interest.

KeshawTiwari,ChristineCornish,BrittanyGamble,DerekThomas,Ravindra NathSharma, (2016) Seroprevalence of Bovine Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 (bPI-3V) in Ruminants from Grenada. Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine,06,23-27. doi: 10.4236/ojvm.2016.62004