Molecular epidemiology of bluetongue virus serotype 1 isolated in 2006 from Algeria

• Published in: Research in veterinary science Vol. 91; no. 3; pp. 486 - 497
• Main Authors: Cêtre-Sossah, C., Madani, H., Sailleau, C., Nomikou, K., Sadaoui, H., Zientara, S., Maan, S., Maan, N., Mertens, P., Albina, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier India Pvt Ltd 01-12-2011; Elsevier Limited; Elsevier
• Subjects: Algeria; Algeria - epidemiology; Animals; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Bluetongue - epidemiology; Bluetongue - virology; Bluetongue serotype 1; Bluetongue virus; Bluetongue virus - genetics; Capsid Proteins - genetics; Capsid Proteins - metabolism; Disease Outbreaks - veterinary; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; Life Sciences; Molecular Epidemiology; Phylogenetic analysis; Phylogeny; Seg-10; Seg-2; Seg-7; Sheep; Veterinary medicine; Algeria; Bluetongue serotype 1; Phylogenetic analysis; Seg-10; Algeria; Seg-2; Seg-7; veterinary sciences
• ISSN: 0034-5288; 1532-2661
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2010.10.002

This study reports on an outbreak of disease that occurred in central Algeria during July 2006. Sheep in the affected area presented clinical signs typical of bluetongue (BT) disease. A total of 5245 sheep in the affected region were considered to be susceptible, with 263 cases and thirty-six deaths. Bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 1 was isolated and identified as the causative agent. Segments 2, 7 and 10 of this virus were sequenced and compared with other isolates from Morocco, Italy, Portugal and France showing that they all belong to a ‘western’ BTV group/topotype and collectively represent a western Mediterranean lineage of BTV-1.