RESUMO Os pequenos ruminantes podem ser infectados por um grupo de vírus genericamente denominado de Lentivírus de Pequenos Ruminantes (LVPR), que compreende vários isolados, distribuídos em quatro grupos filogenéticos. Os vírus Maedi-Visna (MVV) e da Artrite Encefalite Caprina (CAEV), originalmente, isolados de ovinos e caprinos, respectivamente, são os protótipos dos dois grupos. O objetivo desse trabalho foi isolar, identificar amostra de LVPR e realizar levantamento sorológico, em ovinos da raça Santa Inês. Através do co-cultivo de células de membrana sinovial ovina e sangue periférico de um ovino soropositivo ao teste de IDGA foi isolado LVPR, amostra BrPe2-01, identificada pelo aparecimento de sincícios nas monocamadas e pela reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). A sorologia foi feita através do teste de Imunodifusão em Gel de Agar (IDGA) em animais de 25 propriedades procedentes das regiões Agreste, Sertão, Mata Meridional e Metropolitana do Estado de Pernambuco, totalizando 558 amostras. Os resultados demonstraram sorologia positiva em 6 (1,07%) ovinos de 3 (12%) rebanhos estudados. Concluiu-se que os ovinos da raça Santa Inês estão sendo infectados pelos LVPR, porém com baixa prevalência.

ABSTRACT Small ruminants can be infected by a group generically denominated as small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV), which comprehend several isolates, distributed into four phylogenetic groups. The Maedi-Visna (MVV) and caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAEV) viruses, originally isolated from ovine and caprine, respectively, are the prototypes of both groups. The objective of this work was to isolate and identify an SRLV strain and carry out a serological survey in ovines of the Santa Inês breed. Through co-cultivation of ovine sinovial cells and leucocytes of a seropositive ewe, LVSR was isolated (BrPe2-01 strain), and identified by the appearance of syncitium on the monolayers and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The serology was done through the agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) in 558 sheep of 25 flocks from the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The results demonstrated positive serology in 6 (1.07%) sheep of 3 (12%) studied flocks. It was concluded that the ovine of the Santa Inês breed are being infected by SRLV, with low prevalence.

The prevalence of small ruminant lentivirus (SRL) infection was evaluated in goats and sheep in two counties of Pernambuco State, Brasil. Seriological examinations were performed from a total of 672 goats and 325 sheep, one year of age and older, at two abattoirs. Sera were analyzed by agar gel immunodiffusion using Maedi-Visna K-1514 antigens. There were 42 reactive samples (95% confidence interval 3.6% to 4.9%) in both slaughter houses. In São Lourenço da Mata county, 3.2% and 4.0% of goat and sheep sera were responsive, whereas in Paulista county, 5.1% of goat samples and 8.2% of sheep were reactive. Thus, the prevalence of small ruminant lentivirus was low in goats and sheep sampled from the region.