The role of wildlife in bluetongue virus maintenance in Europe: Lessons learned after the natural infection in Spain

Bluetongue Virus in wild ruminants in Europe: Concerns and facts, with a brief reference to bluetongue in cervids in Greece during the 2014 outbreak

“…As expected, the red deer aggregation during their mating season (late summer, autumn) has been found to increase significantly the susceptibility to the virus. Moreover, surveillance studies in red deer population have clearly suggested that adult individuals, especially males, are more susceptible to infection (García-Bocanegra et al, 2011;Ruiz-Fons et al, 2014). Although roe deer (Capreolinae subfamily) density population is equal to that of red deer, prevalence of bluetongue is significantly smaller, between 1% and 2% (García-Bocanegra et al, 2011;Corbière et al, 2012;Casaubon et al, 2013).…”

“…Lack of clinical signs allows these species to play a crucial role in the epidemiology of the disease, enabling multiplex interactions with competent vectors and developing interesting relationships with other susceptible hosts (Billinis, 2013;Miller et al, 2013;Lorca-Oró et al, 2014;Ruiz-Fons et al, 2014).…”

Molecular and Serological Survey of Selected Viruses in Free-Ranging Wild Ruminants in Iran

“…There are 24 antigenically distinct serotypes in the genus and differing levels of cross reactivity have been observed between different serotypes[40]. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated the importance of wild ruminants in the maintenance and circulation of BTV in both domestic and wild ruminants [41]. Sero-epidemiological investigations showed BTV is widespread in livestock in Iran [42–44].…”

“…However, no information is available on BTV in wild ruminants in Iran. Clinical and serological surveys in European wild ungulates have shown BTV infection does not cause clinical disease but they can act as reservoirs of the virus for other ruminant hosts [41]. BTV circulation between wild and domestic populations relies upon arthropod vectors such as Culicoides midges [45, 46] with disease circulating in both populations.…”

Preparation and Characterization of a Monoclonal Antibody Against the Core Protein VP7 of the 25thSerotype of Bluetongue Virus

“…(13) The economic losses from BT have had great significance in recent years, not only due to animal infection but also due to restrictions imposed by the International Animal Health Organization on animal trade and animal movement from where the virus is endemic. (14)(15)(16)(17)(18) Therefore, it is essential to establish cost-effective diagnostic methods for the detecting of BTV.…”