Genomic characterization of pestiviruses isolated from bovine, ovine and caprine foetuses in Turkey: A potentially new genotype of Pestivirus I species

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the frequency and genetic diversity of pestiviruses in abortion cases in cattle and small ruminants in Turkey. During January 2012 and December 2017, a total of 2029 aborted foetuses (553 bovine foetuses, 1,388 sheep foetuses and 88 goat foetuses) were collected from different regions of Turkey. Real-time RT-PCR (RRT-PCR) assays were used to detect pestiviral RNA in aborted foetuses. To confirm the cause of abortion, pestivirus-positive foetuses were also examined for the presence of Brucella spp., Campylobacter spp., Chlamydophila abortus (C. abortus), akabane virus, bluetongue virus and Schmallenberg virus by molecular detection methods. Pestiviral RNA was detected in 61 (11%) of the 553 bovine foetuses, 124 (8.9%) of the 1,388 sheep foetuses and 3 (3.4%) of the 88 goat foetuses. Furthermore, C. abortus DNA was detected in 3 pestivirus-positive sheep foetuses, whereas other infectious agents were not detected in pestivirus-positive foetuses. Genetic characterization of the pestivirus RRT-PCR positive samples was conducted by sequencing 5′ untranslated (5′ UTR) and non-structural autoprotease (N pro ) genomic regions. A total of 68 sequences were obtained, and phylogenetic analyses revealed that all sequences belonged to BVDV-1, including 1b (8/68), 1f(2/68), 1l (4/68), 1r (10/68), Aydin-like pestivirus (20/68) and one unknown genotype (24/68). The 5′ UTR and N pro sequences of this unknown genotype differed from pestiviruses previously described, providing evidence for the presence of an emerging genotype within the species Pestivirus I, tentatively named as 'Konya-like' pestivirus. 'Konya-like' pestivirus was the dominant genotype in sheep foetuses, whereas Aydin-like pestivirus was found to be the predominant genotype in bovine foetuses.To the best my knowledge, this is the first report of Aydin-like pestivirus infection in cattle. The information provided in this study contributes to the understanding the dissemination and evolution of pestiviruses and could be beneficial for developing more effective vaccines.

Decrypting the Origin and Pathogenesis in Pregnant Ewes of a New Ovine Pestivirus Closely Related to Classical Swine Fever Virus

“…Sequence identity between OVPV and CSFV was as high as 89.9% in the 5 UTR region. These results revealed that the Italian OVPV is more closely related to CSFV than BDV, BVDV, or any other of the existing or recently-discovered pestiviruses, such as Aydin, LINDA, or APPV [12][13][14].…”

Current state of knowledge regarding bacterially-induced abortion in sheep

“…In sheep, abortions can be caused by viral [1,2] bacterial [3,4] or parasitic [5,6,7] factors, as well as diet deficiencies [8], poisoning [9] and extreme weather conditions [10]. Furthermore, in addition to the significant economic losses [11], any deaths caused by zoonotic pathogens can also pose a risk to breeders, animal keepers or veterinarians [12].…”

The Investigation of PestivirusInfections in Bovine, Ovine and Caprine Foetuses in the East and Southeast Regions of Turkey

“…[22] Karadeniz Bölgesinde sığır ve koyunlarda abort yapmış fötuslarda pestivirus genom varlığını RT-PCR testi ile araştırmış ve sığır fötuslerinde (6/21) %28,57, koyun fötuslerinde (14/21) %66,66 oranlarında varlığını tespit etmişlerdir. Şevik [23], Türkiye'nin İç, Ege ve Akdeniz Bölgesinden sağladığı abort yapmış sığır, koyun ve keçi fötuslerinde pestivirus varlığını RT-PCR testi ile araştırmış, sığırlarda (61/553) %11, koyunlarda (124/1388) %8,9 ve keçilerde (3/88) %3,4 oranlarında abort etiyolojisinde pestivirus payını tespit etmiştir. Bu araştırma Doğu ve Güneydoğu Anadolu Bölgelerinde yetiştirilen sığır, koyun ve keçi sürülerinde abort yapmış fötuslada etiyolojideki pestivirus oranını tespit edildiği ilk çalışma olması nedeni ile önem arz etmektedir.…”