Serological and phylogenetic characterization of foot and mouth disease viruses from Uganda during cross sectional surveillance study in cattle between 2014 and 2017

Authors: MWIINE, FRANK - Makerere University; VELAZQUEZ-SALINAS, LAURO - University Of Minnesota; AHMED, ZAHEER - Former ARS Employee; OCHWO, SYLVESTER - Makerere University; MUNSEY, ANNA - University Of Minnesota; Kenney, Mary; LUTWAMA, JULIUS - Uganda Virus Research Institute; MAREE, FRANCOIS - Agricultural Research Council Of South Africa; LOBEL, LESLIE - Ben Gurion Research Institute; PEREZ, ANDRES - University Of Minnesota; Rodriguez, Luis; VANDERWAAL, KIMBERLY - University Of Minnesota; Rieder, Aida - Elizabeth

Submitted to: Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/30/2019
Publication Date: 5/25/2019
Citation: Mwiine, F.N., Velazquez-Salinas, L., Ahmed, Z., Ochwo, S., Munsey, A., Kenney, M.A., Lutwama, J.J., Maree, F.F., Lobel, L., Perez, A.M., Rodriguez, L.L., Vanderwaal, K., Rieder, A.E. 2019. Serological and phylogenetic characterization of foot and mouth disease viruses from Uganda during cross sectional surveillance study in cattle between 2014 and 2017. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.13249.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.13249

Interpretive Summary: In sub-Saharan Africa, foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is widely spread, highly contagious and difficult to control and eradicate. Here we report on FMDV circulating among Ugandan cattle population between 2014-2017. Our results showed the presence of type A, O SAT1 and SAT2 FMDV serotypes during these years with some of them showing high similarity to viruses isolated in African Buffalos and cattle several years ago.

Technical Abstract: Here we report the results of a cross-sectional study designed to monitor the circulation and genetic diversity of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) in Uganda between 2014 and 2017. In this study, 13,733 sera and 1,828 oral-pharyngeal fluid samples were collected from cattle and analyzed to determine FMD seroprevalence, the circulating serotypes, and their phylogenetic relationships. Widespread circulation of FMDV was evidenced in 36 of 39 districts sampled in Uganda. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of FMDV serotypes A, O, SAT1 and SAT2. FMDVs belonging to serotype O, isolated from 21 districts, were the most prevalent and were classified into six lineages within two East African topotypes, EA-1 and EA-2. Serotype A viruses belonged to the Africa G-I topotype. The SAT 1 viruses grouped within topotypes I, IV and SAT2 viruses, within topotypes VII, IV, X. Phylogenetic analysis of SAT1 & SAT2 sequences from cattle clustered with historical sequences from buffaloes, indicating possible natural interspecific transmission at the wildlife-livestock interface areas, and in a few cases sharing similarities to viral strains recovered from other regions in East Africa. This three-year study period provides knowledge about the geographical distribution of FMDV serotypes isolated in Uganda and insights into the genetic diversity of co-circulating viruses in the country. The knowledge of circulating FMD viruses will assist in antigenic matching studies to devise improved FMDV control strategies with vaccination and for vaccine strain selection for Uganda.