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Title: MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY OF BLUETONGUE VIRUS IN NORTHERN COLORADO

Author
item WHITE, DAVID - ABADRL
item BLAIR, CAROL - COLORADO STATE UNIV
item BEATY, BARRY - COLORADO STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Journal of General Virology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2005
Publication Date: 12/7/2005
Citation: White, D.M., Blair, C.D., Beaty, B.J. 2005. Molecular epidemiology of bluetongue virus in northern colorado. Journal of General Virology.

Interpretive Summary: Bluetongue viruses (BTVs) are economically important insect-transmitted viruses that affect sheep and Cattle. How these viruses persist over winter in temperate climates has eluded researchers for many years. This paper presents evidence that suggest that BTVs could over winter in the insect vector.

Technical Abstract: The molecular epidemiology of bluetongue virus serotype 11 in an enzootic focus in northern Colorado was investigated. Viruses isolated up to 12 years apart, from both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, were compared by genetic analysis. This study demonstrated that multiple genes need to be compared before determining the epidemiology of viruses in an enzootic focus. This information could influence import/export regulations based on BTV epidemiology in enzootic areas, as well as our view of the natural biology of the viruses.