| Abstrakt: |
Bluetongue virus (BTV) is the prototype of the genus Orbivirus, family Reoviridae. Bluetongue (BT) occurs throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the world, in an area that parallels the distribution of the competent vector, Culicoides spp. There is considerable genetic variability within the serogroup of BTV so that 26 serotypes have been recognized worldwide. A total of 1,010 blood samples from 820 sheep and 190 goats, with history of abortion and mucosal diseases, from 25 Counties of Fars Province, southern Iran were tested in a period of 1 year between 2010 and 2011, using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA), for anti-bluetongue virus antibodies. A total of 772/1,010 (76.4 %) samples, 162/190 (85.3 %) goats and 610/820 (74.4 %) sheep, were found seropositive for BTV. The present study showed high seroprevalence of BT in goats and sheep of this area. The enzootic nature of BTV in southern areas of Iran is supported by climatic factors that favour the maintenance and recirculation of the virus in its vertebrate and non-vertebrate hosts. This investigation evaluates the present status of BT in southern Iran. It also has an overview on the previously confirmed serotypes of BT and demonstrates four decades prevalence of this disease in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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