Experimental oral infection of bluetongue virus serotype 8 in type I interferon receptor-deficient mice

The identification of transmission routes for bluetongue virus (BTV) is essential to improve the control of the disease. Although BTV is primarily transmitted by several species of Culicoides biting midges, there has been evidence of transplacental and oral transmission. We now report that IFNAR((-/-)) mice are susceptible to oral infection by BTV-8. Viraemia, clinical manifestations and tissue lesions are similar to those in intravenously infected mice. In addition, we show that the oral cavity and oesophagus are susceptible to BTV infection and replication, suggesting that these organs are possible entry routes during BTV oral infection.