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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
12:02
Assays for the Identification of Novel Antivirals against Bluetongue Virus
Published on: October 11, 2013
Bluetongue in Belgium, 2006
Jean-François Toussaint1, Corinne Sailleau, Jan Mast
1Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre, Brussels, Belgium.
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|June 8, 2007
Summary
Bluetongue virus serotype 8 emerged in Belgium. New real-time reverse transcription-quantitative PCRs (RT-qPCRs) offer earlier detection of this bluetongue virus strain compared to antibody tests.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Bluetongue virus (BTV) poses a significant threat to livestock health.
- Recent emergence of BTV in Belgium necessitates rapid diagnostic tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the newly emerged bluetongue virus strain in Belgium.
- To develop and evaluate novel molecular diagnostic assays for early BTV detection.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of the bluetongue virus strain.
- Development of two real-time reverse transcription-quantitative PCRs (RT-qPCRs) targeting different BTV segments.
- Comparison of RT-qPCRs with competitive ELISA for antibody detection.
Main Results:
- The emerged bluetongue virus was identified as serotype 8.
- The developed RT-qPCRs successfully detected the exotic BTV strain.
- Early detection of infection was achieved with RT-qPCRs, preceding antibody detection by ELISA.
Conclusions:
- Real-time RT-qPCRs are effective tools for early detection of bluetongue virus serotype 8.
- These molecular assays are crucial for rapid response to BTV outbreaks in livestock.
- The findings support the implementation of molecular diagnostics for BTV surveillance.
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