Prospective and Retrospective Study of PPR in Goats: Epidemiology, Clinical Signs, Risk Factors, and Hematological Alterations

Bangladesh is an agro‐based country where goat rearing plays a pivotal role in supporting rural livelihoods because of its relatively low investment requirements and high profitability. However, peste des petits ruminants (PPR) remains a major threat to goat health and productivity. This study investigated the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of PPR in goats presented at the Teaching Veterinary Hospital (TVH) of Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU) and in surrounding areas of the Chattogram Metropolitan Area (CMA). A descriptive study was conducted to determine the proportionate prevalence of PPR, assess the frequency of clinical signs, evaluate therapeutic practices, and identify potential risk factors associated with its occurrence. Data from 922 clinically diagnosed PPR cases were retrieved from the TVH database for descriptive analysis. In a separate investigation, 138 suspected PPR cases, including 50 cases at TVH and 88 from diverse sources, were examined clinically and tested using serological and molecular methods. Blood samples were analyzed to determine seropositivity and assess hematological changes, while nasal swabs were subjected to molecular diagnosis. The prevalence of PPR was 21.3%–28.7% based on the descriptive analysis and 21.7% based on molecular testing. The most frequently observed combination of clinical signs was nasal discharge, stomatitis, and diarrhea, which occurred in 17.5% of the cases; sulfadimidine (70.4%) was the most commonly used antimicrobial to treat PPR. Hematological analysis indicated alterations in lymphocyte and neutrophil counts among affected goats. Multivariable analysis revealed that the rainy season, intensive/semi‐intensive rearing systems, Black Bengal breed, and cachectic body condition were significantly associated with an increased risk of disease occurrence. In contrast, sex, body weight, and age showed no significant association. This study highlights the clinical patterns, prevalence, and hematological changes associated with PPR in goats in Chattogram, emphasizing the importance of early detection and targeted control measures to reduce the impact on small ruminant health and rural livelihoods.