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Updated: Nov 23, 2025
Assays for the Identification of Novel Antivirals against Bluetongue Virus
Published on: October 11, 2013
Putative Novel Serotypes '33' and '35' in Clinically Healthy Small Ruminants in Mongolia Expand the Group of Atypical
Christina Ries1, Tumenjargal Sharav2, Erdene-Ochir Tseren-Ochir2
1Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17943 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
Abstract:
Between 2015 and 2018, we identified the presence of three so-far-unknown Bluetongue virus (BTV) strains (BTV-MNG1/2018, BTV-MNG2/2016, and BTV-MNG3/2016) circulating in clinical healthy sheep and goats in Mongolia. Virus isolation from EDTA blood samples of BTV-MNG1/2018 and BTV-MNG3/2016 was successful on the mammalian cell line BSR using blood collected from surveillance. After experimental inoculation of goats with BTV-MNG2/2016 positive blood as inoculum, we observed viraemia in one goat and with the EDTA blood of the experimental inoculation, the propagation of BTV-MNG2/2016 in cell culture was successful on mammalian cell line BSR as well. However, virus isolation experiments for BTV-MNG2/2016 on KC cells were unsuccessful. Furthermore, we generated the complete coding sequence of all three novel Mongolian strains. For atypical BTV, serotyping via the traditional serum neutralization assay is not trivial. We therefore sorted the 'putative novel atypical serotypes' according to their segment-2 sequence identities and their time point of sampling. Hence, the BTV-MNG1/2018 isolate forms the 'putative novel atypical serotype' 33, the BTV-MNG3/2016 the 'putative novel atypical serotype' 35, whereas the BTV-MNG2/2016 strain belongs to the same putative novel atypical serotype '30' as BTV-XJ1407 from China.
Insights
Three novel Bluetongue virus (BTV) strains were identified in healthy Mongolian sheep and goats between 2015-2018. These findings contribute to understanding BTV diversity and spread in the region.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Animal Health
Background:
- Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a re-emerging pathogen affecting livestock globally.
- Previous surveillance in Mongolia had not identified these specific BTV strains.
- Understanding circulating BTV strains is crucial for disease control and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel Bluetongue virus strains circulating in Mongolia.
- To determine the genetic sequences of these novel strains.
- To classify the identified strains within the BTV serotype spectrum.
Main Methods:
- Virus isolation from blood samples of clinically healthy sheep and goats.
- Cell culture propagation using the BSR mammalian cell line.
- Whole-genome sequencing to obtain complete coding sequences.
- Sequence analysis for serotype determination based on segment-2 identity.
Main Results:
- Three previously unknown BTV strains (BTV-MNG1/2018, BTV-MNG2/2016, BTV-MNG3/2016) were detected in Mongolia.
- Successful virus isolation and propagation were achieved for BTV-MNG1/2018 and BTV-MNG3/2016 in BSR cells.
- BTV-MNG2/2016 induced viraemia in goats and was propagated in BSR cells, but not KC cells.
- Complete coding sequences were generated for all three novel strains.
- BTV-MNG1/2018 was classified as putative novel atypical serotype 33.
- BTV-MNG3/2016 was classified as putative novel atypical serotype 35.
- BTV-MNG2/2016 was classified into putative novel atypical serotype 30, sharing identity with a Chinese strain.
Conclusions:
- Mongolia harbors novel and atypical Bluetongue virus strains.
- The identified strains represent new serotypes or variants with potential implications for regional and international animal health.
- Molecular methods, particularly segment-2 sequencing, are valuable for characterizing atypical BTV strains when traditional serotyping is challenging.
