2010 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The objectives of this collaborative agreement are: 1. Advance our understanding of molecular epidemiology of FMD viruses in South America by increasing the number of fully sequenced virus strains from the region; 2. Develop algorithms and models that can predict with some confidence the epidemiologic features and transmission history of an FMD epidemic based on the changes nucleotide substitutions observed in the genomes of isolated viruses; 3. Identify sites of the FMD virus genome under positive selection and quantify any association between changes in those sites and epidemiological features of the outbreaks; 4. Expand the scope of FMD epidemiology to include other vesicular diseases such as vesicular stomatitis in selected regions of Latin-America and the use of epidemiological information in development and testing of predictive models of disease incursions into the U.S. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) The ARS-USDA PIADC FADRU will collaborate with the the CONICET, Argentina, and the Instituto de Biotecnología (INTA Castelar, Argentina) to: 1. Advance our understanding of molecular epidemiology of FMD viruses in South America by increasing the number of fully sequenced virus strains in the region; 2. Develop algorithms and models that can predict with some confidence the epidemiologic features and transmission history of an FMD epidemic based on the changes nucleotide substitutions observed in the genomes of isolated viruses; 3. Identify sites of the FMD virus genome under positive selection and quantify any association between changes in those sites and epidemiological features of the outbreaks; 4. Expand the scope of FMD epidemiology to include other vesicular diseases such as vesicular stomatitis in selected regions of Latin-America and the use of epidemiological information in development and testing of predictive models of disease incursions into the U.S. 3.Progress Report A prerequisite to developing strategies for detection and control of vesicular diseases as FMD (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) or VS (Vesicular Stomatitis) is a thorough understanding of the epidemiology of genetic change in FMD and VS viruses (FMDV, VSV), including factors that contribute to evolution of the virus. Unfortunately, such information is unknown and methodological approaches necessary to advance our understanding of the epidemiology of FMDV evolution have not been developed. Greater understanding of FMD and VS epidemiology in South America will result in development of better predictive tools to prevent incursions of FMDV and VSV into the US. 1. Phylogenetic analysis of the 2001 FMD epidemic in Argentina. Twenty two samples have been processed to extract the viral RNA. From these samples, the complete genome sequence of twelve viruses have been completed and eight more are still in progress. Preliminary analysis showed that no spatial clustering was found for genetic distances and that the Distance di-time trend was best-explained by a non-linear function. The multiple Mantel test did not evidence a significant relationship of d with geographic distances and with time between isolates. No support of a single lineage in Mar Chiquita (Argentina) was found when VP1 gene sequences were analyzed together with a published set of country-wide collected viruses. The completion of the second most comprehensive epidemiology analysis of an FMD epizootia worldwide. This project was monitored through email and telephone exchange as well as site visits to ARS, PIADC and INTA, Argentina.