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Original Research
8.
Seroprevalence and S7 gene characterization of
bluetongue virus in the west of Iran -
Mohammad Khezri, Sayed Mahmad Azimi
Vet World. 2012; 5(9): 549-555
doi:
10.5455/vetworld.2012.549-555
Abstract
Aim:
The objective of this study was conducted to
determine the seroprevalence and S7 gene
characterization of bluetongue virus (BTV) of sheep
in the West of Iran, during 2007-2008.
Materials
and Methods: A total 372 sheep blood samples
were collected from known seropositive regions in
the West of Iran. Anti-BTV antibodies were detected
in the serum samples by group specific, C-ELISA.
Extractions of the dsRNA from whole blood samples
were carried out. The One-step RT-PCR kit was used
for the detection of S7 BTV gene in the blood
samples. PCR products of the first amplification (RT-PCR)
were used; template in the nested PCR. Products were
separated by 1.2% Agarose gel electrophoresis.
Nested PCR products of S7 segment from positive
samples and the reference strain; BTV1 (RSA vvvv/01)
were prepared for sequencing. All sequences were
subjected to multiple sequence alignments and
phylogenetic analysis. Results: The results
showed widespread presence of the anti-BTV
antibodies in the province's sheep population, where
46.77% of the tested sera were positive on C-ELISA.
Bluetongue viruses were diagnosed in some animals by
RT-PCR and nested PCR, by targeting S7 segment. This
genome segment was sequenced and analyzed in four
samples as a conserved gene in BTV serogroup. This
group was very similar to the West BTV strains from
USA, Africa and Europe. This clustered was
categorized with BTV4 from Turkey.
Conclusion:
Increases in epidemic disease may constitute a
serious problem for Iran's rural economy in future,
and the situation is likely to worsen in the next
few years as the proportion of unvaccinated
livestock increases.
Keywords: Bluetongue,
C-ELISA, PCR, Seroprevalence, S7 segment
