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International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2024Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a segmented, double-stranded RNA virus transmitted by midges that infects ruminants. As global temperatures increase and geographical ranges...
Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a segmented, double-stranded RNA virus transmitted by midges that infects ruminants. As global temperatures increase and geographical ranges of midges expand, there is increased potential for BTV outbreaks from incursions of novel serotypes into endemic regions. However, an understanding of the effect of temperature on reassortment is lacking. The objectives of this study were to compare how temperature affected survival, virogenesis, and reassortment in coinfected with two BTV serotypes. Midges were fed blood meals containing BTV-10, BTV-17, or BTV serotype 10 and 17 and maintained at 20 °C, 25 °C, or 30 °C. Midge survival was assessed, and pools of midges were collected every other day to evaluate virogenesis of BTV via qRT-PCR. Additional pools of coinfected midges were collected for BTV plaque isolation. The genotypes of plaques were determined using next-generation sequencing. Warmer temperatures impacted traits related to vector competence in offsetting ways: BTV replicated faster in midges at warmer temperatures, but midges did not survive as long. Overall, plaques with BTV-17 genotype dominated, but BTV-10 was detected in some plaques, suggesting parental strain fitness may play a role in reassortment outcomes. Temperature adds an important dimension to host-pathogen interactions with implications for transmission and evolution.
Topics: Animals; Temperature; Ceratopogonidae; Bluetongue virus; Serogroup; Coinfection; Chironomidae
PubMed: 38474308
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25053063 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Jul 2024Reemerging and notifiable diseases of cattle and bison continue to pose potential risks to their health and lives and affecting production and the livelihoods of... (Review)
Review
Reemerging and notifiable diseases of cattle and bison continue to pose potential risks to their health and lives and affecting production and the livelihoods of producers. It is essential to understand the clinical presentation of these diseases to watch for possible incursions and infections and to immediately report your suspicions to your State and Federal Animal Health Officials. Three of these reemerging and notifiable diseases of cattle and bison, malignant catarrhal fever, bluetongue virus, and New World screwworm, are presented in this article for increased awareness to consider as a differential if examinations present suggestive clinical signs.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Bluetongue; Cattle Diseases; Bison; Malignant Catarrh; Bluetongue virus
PubMed: 38453550
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2024.01.007 -
Viruses Feb 2024Bluetongue Virus (BTV) and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (EHDV) are primarily transmitted by their biological vector, spp. Latreille, 1809 (Diptera:...
The Study of Bluetongue Virus (BTV) and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (EHDV) Circulation and Vectors at the Municipal Parks and Zoobotanical Foundation of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil (FPMZB-BH).
Bluetongue Virus (BTV) and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (EHDV) are primarily transmitted by their biological vector, spp. Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). These viruses can infect a diverse range of vertebrate hosts, leading to disease outbreaks in domestic and wild ruminants worldwide. This study, conducted at the Belo Horizonte Municipal Parks and Zoobotany Foundation (FPMZB-BH), Minas Gerais, Brazil, focused on and its vectors. Collections of spp. were carried out at the FPMZB-BH from 9 December 2021 to 18 November 2022. A higher prevalence of these insects was observed during the summer months, especially in February. Factors such as elevated temperatures, high humidity, fecal accumulation, and proximity to large animals, like camels and elephants, were associated with increased capture. Among the identified spp. species, Lutz, 1913, constituted 75%, and Lutz, 1913, 6% of the collected midges, both described as competent vectors for transmission. Additionally, a previously unreported species in Minas Gerais, Lutz, 1913, was identified, also suspected of being a transmitter of these . The feeding preferences of some species were analyzed, revealing that feeds on deer, Red deer () and European fallow deer (). Different spp. were also identified feeding on humans, raising concerns about the potential transmission of arboviruses at the site. In parallel, 72 serum samples from 14 susceptible species, including various , collected between 2012 and 2022 from the FPMZB-BH serum bank, underwent Agar Gel Immunodiffusion (AGID) testing for BTV and EHDV. The results showed 75% seropositivity for BTV and 19% for EHDV. Post-testing analysis revealed variations in antibody presence against BTV in a tapir and a fallow deer and against EHDV in a gemsbok across different years. These studies confirm the presence of BTV and EHDV vectors, along with potential virus circulation in the zoo. Consequently, implementing control measures is essential to prevent susceptible species from becoming infected and developing clinical diseases.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Epizootic; Bluetongue virus; Deer; Brazil; Insect Vectors; Orbivirus; Ceratopogonidae; Antelopes
PubMed: 38400068
DOI: 10.3390/v16020293 -
Viruses Feb 2024Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a segmented, double-stranded RNA orbivirus listed by the World Organization for Animal Health and transmitted by biting midges. Segmented...
Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a segmented, double-stranded RNA orbivirus listed by the World Organization for Animal Health and transmitted by biting midges. Segmented viruses can reassort, which facilitates rapid and important genotypic changes. Our study evaluated reassortment in midges coinfected with different ratios of BTV-10 and BTV-17. Midges were fed blood containing BTV-10, BTV-17, or a combination of both serotypes at 90:10, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, or 10:90 ratios. Midges were collected every other day and tested for infection using pan BTV and (housekeeping gene) qRT-PCR. A curve was fit to the ∆Ct values (pan BTV Ct- Ct) for each experimental group. On day 10, the midges were processed for BTV plaque isolation. Genotypes of the plaques were determined by next-generation sequencing. Pairwise comparison of ∆Ct curves demonstrated no differences in viral RNA levels between coinfected treatment groups. Plaque genotyping indicated that most plaques fully aligned with one of the parental strains; however, reassortants were detected, and in the 75:25 pool, most plaques were reassortant. Reassortant prevalence may be maximized upon the occurrence of reassortant genotypes that can outcompete the parental genotypes. BTV reassortment and resulting biological consequences are important elements to understanding orbivirus emergence and evolution.
Topics: Animals; Serogroup; Bluetongue virus; Ceratopogonidae; Coinfection; Genotype
PubMed: 38400016
DOI: 10.3390/v16020240 -
Viruses Jan 2024Two strains of viruses, JC13C644 and JC13C673, were isolated from collected in Jiangcheng County, Yunnan Province, situated along the border area shared by China, Laos,...
Two strains of viruses, JC13C644 and JC13C673, were isolated from collected in Jiangcheng County, Yunnan Province, situated along the border area shared by China, Laos, and Vietnam. JC13C644 and JC13C673 viruses can cause cytopathic effect (CPE) in mammalian cells BHK21 and Vero cells, and cause morbidity and mortality in suckling mice 48 h after intracerebral inoculation. Whole-genome sequencing was performed, yielding complete sequences for all 10 segments from Seg-1 (3942nt) to Seg-10 (810nt). Phylogenetic analysis of the sub-core-shell (T2) showed that the JC13C644 and JC13C673 viruses clustered with the (EHDV) isolated from Japan and Australia, with nucleotide and amino acid homology of 93.1% to 98.3% and 99.2% to 99.6%, respectively, suggesting that they were Eastern group EHDV. The phylogenetic analysis of outer capsid protein (OC1) and outer capsid protein (OC2) showed that the JC13C644 and JC13C673 viruses were clustered with the EHDV-10 isolated from Japan in 1998, with the nucleotide homology of 98.3% and 98.5%, and the amino acid homology of 99.6% and 99.6-99.8%, respectively, indicating that they belong to the EHDV-10. Seroepidemiological survey results demonstrated that JC13C644 virus-neutralizing antibodies were present in 29.02% (177/610) of locally collected cattle serum and 11.32% (89/786) of goat serum, implying the virus's presence in Jiangcheng, Yunnan Province. This finding suggests that EHDV-10 circulates not only among blood-sucking insects in nature but also infects local domestic animals in China. Notably, this marks the first-ever isolation of the virus in China and its discovery outside of Japan since its initial isolation from Japanese cattle. In light of these results, it is evident that EHDV Serotype 10 exists beyond Japan, notably in the natural vectors of southern Eurasia, with the capacity to infect local cattle and goats. Therefore, it is imperative to intensify the surveillance of EHDV infection in domestic animals, particularly focusing on the detection and monitoring of new virus serotypes that may emerge in the region and pose risks to animal health.
Topics: Chlorocebus aethiops; Cattle; Animals; Mice; Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Epizootic; Livestock; Ceratopogonidae; Serogroup; China; Phylogeny; Reoviridae Infections; Capsid Proteins; Vero Cells; Goats; Amino Acids; Nucleotides
PubMed: 38399951
DOI: 10.3390/v16020175 -
International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2024African horse sickness (AHS) is a highly severe disease caused by a viral etiological agent, African horse sickness virus (AHSV). It is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa,...
African horse sickness (AHS) is a highly severe disease caused by a viral etiological agent, African horse sickness virus (AHSV). It is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, while sporadic outbreaks have occurred in North Africa, Asia, and Europe, with the most recent cases in Thailand. AHSV transmission between equines occurs primarily by biting midges of the genus , especially , with a wide distribution globally. As research in horses is highly restricted due to a variety of factors, small laboratory animal models that reproduce clinical signs and pathology observed in natural infection of AHSV are highly needed. Here, we investigated the expression profile of several pro-inflammatory cytokines in target organs and serum of IFNAR (-/-) mice, to continue characterizing this established animal model and to go deep into the innate immune responses that are still needed.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Africa South of the Sahara; African Horse Sickness; African Horse Sickness Virus; Ceratopogonidae; Europe; Horses; RNA, Messenger; Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta
PubMed: 38396742
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042065 -
Epidemiologia (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is an infectious, non-contagious viral disease seriously affecting cattle and some wild ruminants and has a worldwide distribution....
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is an infectious, non-contagious viral disease seriously affecting cattle and some wild ruminants and has a worldwide distribution. All viruses can be subdivided into "Eastern" and "Western" topotypes according to geographic distribution via the phylogenetic analysis of internal genes. In Israel, during the last decade, three outbreaks were registered: caused by EHDV-6 in 2015, by EHDV-1 in 2016, and by EHDV-7 in 2020. Additionally, RNA of EHDV-8 was found in imported calves from Portugal in 2023. During the same period in other countries of the region, non-Israeli-like EHDV-6 and EHDV-8 were identified. Full genome sequencing, BLAST, and phylogenetic analyses of the locally and globally known EHDV genomes allowed us to presume the probable route and origin of these viruses detected in Israel. Thus, EHDV-6 has probably been circulating in the region for a long period when EHDV-1 and -8 appeared here for the last years, while their route of introduction into the new areas was probably natural; all of them belonged to the "Western" topotype. In contrast, EHDV-7 probably had the "Eastern", anthropogenic origin. Data from the study can facilitate the evaluation of the appearance or reappearance of EHDVs in the Mediterranean area and enhance the planning of prevention measures.
PubMed: 38390919
DOI: 10.3390/epidemiologia5010006 -
Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases... Jun 2024Retrospective serological and case diagnostic data of endemic bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) provide evidence of viral...
Retrospective serological and case diagnostic data of endemic bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) provide evidence of viral transmission among livestock and wildlife from 2016 in Kansas and Nebraska. Serological testing of mature cattle in nine distinct regional zones of Kansas revealed 76% to 100% had detectable antibodies to BTV and/or EHDV. Specimens tested in the Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (55 submissions) were 51% test positive for antibodies to BTV and/or EHDV. Specimens tested in the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center (283 submissions) were 25% test positive for antibodies to BTV and/or EHDV. Low disease incidence in white-tailed deer and other susceptible wild ungulates was observed during 2016. However, there were no confirmed reports of disease in livestock in either state. The reasons for emergence of significant clinical disease in livestock and wildlife populations remain undefined.
Topics: Animals; Kansas; Nebraska; Reoviridae Infections; Cattle Diseases; Cattle; Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Epizootic; Bluetongue; Bluetongue virus; Animals, Wild; Deer; Antibodies, Viral; Retrospective Studies; Orbivirus
PubMed: 38386998
DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2022.0096 -
Parasites & Vectors Feb 2024Bluetongue is a non-contagious viral disease that affects both domestic and wild ruminants. It is transmitted primarily by small hematophagous Diptera belonging to the...
BACKGROUND
Bluetongue is a non-contagious viral disease that affects both domestic and wild ruminants. It is transmitted primarily by small hematophagous Diptera belonging to the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). The current study represents the first molecular investigation into the potential role of Culicoides imicola, Culicoides paolae, Culicoides newsteadi, Culicoides spp., and Culicoides circumscriptus as bluetongue virus (BTV) vectors in Morocco. Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate the vectorial activity of midges during the survey seasons.
METHODS
Parous females of these species were captured from several regions of Morocco (6 out of 12) from 2018 to 2021 using Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI) traps. A total of 2003 parous female specimens were grouped into 55 batches. The midge body of each batch was dissected into three regions (head, thorax, and abdomen), and these regions were analyzed separately using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).
RESULTS
BTV RNA was detected in 45 out of the 55 batches tested, indicating a positivity rate of 81.8%. The RT-qPCR-positive pools of the studied Culicoides species exhibited high levels of BTV positivity in each body part (head, thorax, and abdomen), confirming the successful replication of the virus within midge bodies. The BTV circulation was substantial across all three survey seasons (spring, summer, and autumn). High infection rates, calculated using the minimum infection rate (MIR) and maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), were observed during the collection seasons, particularly in autumn and spring, and for all investigated Culicoides species, most notably for C. imicola and C. newsteadi. These increased infection rates underscore the significant risk of Culicoides transmitting the BTV in Morocco.
CONCLUSIONS
The detection of BTV positivity in Culicoides spp. (lacking wing spots that allow their differentiation according to morphological identification keys) suggested that other Culicoides species are competent for BTV transmission in Morocco. The study results indicated, for the first time at the molecular level, that C. imicola and C. newsteadi are the primary potential vectors of BTV in Morocco and that C. paolae and C. circumscriptus are strongly implicated in the propagation of bluetongue at the national level.
Topics: Sheep; Female; Animals; Ceratopogonidae; Bluetongue virus; Bluetongue; Morocco; Insect Vectors; Sheep Diseases
PubMed: 38374115
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06167-y -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an arthropod-borne that is almost solely transmitted by biting midges and causes a globally important haemorrhagic disease, bluetongue (BT),...
INTRODUCTION
Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an arthropod-borne that is almost solely transmitted by biting midges and causes a globally important haemorrhagic disease, bluetongue (BT), in susceptible ruminants. Infection with BTV is characterised by immunosuppression and substantial lymphopenia at peak viraemia in the host.
METHODS
In this study, the role of cell-mediated immunity and specific T-cell subsets in BTV pathogenesis, clinical outcome, viral dynamics, immune protection, and onwards transmission to a susceptible vector is defined in unprecedented detail for the first time, using an arboviral infection model system that closely mirrors natural infection and transmission of BTV. Individual circulating CD4, CD8, or WC1 γδ T-cell subsets in sheep were depleted through the administration of specific monoclonal antibodies.
RESULTS
The absence of cytotoxic CD8 T cells was consistently associated with less severe clinical signs of BT, whilst the absence of CD4 and WC1 γδ T cells both resulted in an increased clinical severity. The absence of CD4 T cells also impaired both a timely protective neutralising antibody response and the production of IgG antibodies targeting BTV non-structural protein, NS2, highlighting that the CD4 T-cell subset is important for a timely protective immune response. T cells did not influence viral replication characteristics, including onset/dynamics of viraemia, shedding, or onwards transmission of BTV to . We also highlight differences in T-cell dependency for the generation of immunoglobulin subclasses targeting BTV NS2 and the structural protein, VP7.
DISCUSSION
This study identifies a diverse repertoire of T-cell functions during BTV infection in sheep, particularly in inducing specific anti-viral immune responses and disease manifestation, and will support more effective vaccination strategies.
Topics: Sheep; Animals; Livestock; Viremia; Arboviruses; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Ruminants; T-Lymphocyte Subsets; Bluetongue virus; Bluetongue; Ceratopogonidae
PubMed: 38357545
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1328820