Genome characterization of two bluetongue virus serotype 5 strains isolated from white-tailed deer: first detected cases in Florida after 19 years

Abstract Hemorrhagic disease caused by bluetongue virus (BTV) significantly impacts Florida’s deer farming industry each year. In 2022, we investigated mortality events in white-tailed deer on two separate farms. Necropsies were performed on affected animals, and tissues were subjected to RT-qPCR sc...

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Main Authors: Pacharapong Khrongsee, Pedro H. O. Viadanna, Kristen N. Wilson, Tracey L. Moquin, Juan M. Campos Krauer, John A. Lednicky, Samantha M. Wisely, Kuttichantran Subramaniam
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2025-07-01
Series:Discover Viruses
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44370-025-00023-y
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author Pacharapong Khrongsee
Pedro H. O. Viadanna
Kristen N. Wilson
Tracey L. Moquin
Juan M. Campos Krauer
John A. Lednicky
Samantha M. Wisely
Kuttichantran Subramaniam
author_facet Pacharapong Khrongsee
Pedro H. O. Viadanna
Kristen N. Wilson
Tracey L. Moquin
Juan M. Campos Krauer
John A. Lednicky
Samantha M. Wisely
Kuttichantran Subramaniam
author_sort Pacharapong Khrongsee
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Hemorrhagic disease caused by bluetongue virus (BTV) significantly impacts Florida’s deer farming industry each year. In 2022, we investigated mortality events in white-tailed deer on two separate farms. Necropsies were performed on affected animals, and tissues were subjected to RT-qPCR screening and molecular diagnostics, confirming BTV infection. Virus isolation in C6/36 cell culture and whole-genome sequencing identified BTV serotype 5 (BTV-5) infection in both fawns—the first cases reported in Florida since 2003. Our analyses further reveal that key serotype-defining genome segments (2 and 6) remained conserved, while other segments exhibited evidence of reassortment with co-circulating BTV strains in the region. This suggests that BTV-5 may have persisted undetected at low levels, undergoing genetic exchange with co-circulating strains. These findings highlight the need for improved surveillance programs to monitor genetic changes and mitigate impacts on deer and other ruminants in Florida.
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institution Kabale University
issn 3005-0960
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Springer Nature
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series Discover Viruses
spelling doaj-art-be03fe9643cd4dfa91fce635f927f27d2025-08-20T03:45:56ZengSpringer NatureDiscover Viruses3005-09602025-07-01211910.1007/s44370-025-00023-yGenome characterization of two bluetongue virus serotype 5 strains isolated from white-tailed deer: first detected cases in Florida after 19 yearsPacharapong Khrongsee0Pedro H. O. Viadanna1Kristen N. Wilson2Tracey L. Moquin3Juan M. Campos Krauer4John A. Lednicky5Samantha M. Wisely6Kuttichantran Subramaniam7Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of FloridaDepartment of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of FloridaEmerging Pathogens Institute, University of FloridaEmerging Pathogens Institute, University of FloridaDepartment of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of FloridaEmerging Pathogens Institute, University of FloridaEmerging Pathogens Institute, University of FloridaDepartment of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of FloridaAbstract Hemorrhagic disease caused by bluetongue virus (BTV) significantly impacts Florida’s deer farming industry each year. In 2022, we investigated mortality events in white-tailed deer on two separate farms. Necropsies were performed on affected animals, and tissues were subjected to RT-qPCR screening and molecular diagnostics, confirming BTV infection. Virus isolation in C6/36 cell culture and whole-genome sequencing identified BTV serotype 5 (BTV-5) infection in both fawns—the first cases reported in Florida since 2003. Our analyses further reveal that key serotype-defining genome segments (2 and 6) remained conserved, while other segments exhibited evidence of reassortment with co-circulating BTV strains in the region. This suggests that BTV-5 may have persisted undetected at low levels, undergoing genetic exchange with co-circulating strains. These findings highlight the need for improved surveillance programs to monitor genetic changes and mitigate impacts on deer and other ruminants in Florida.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44370-025-00023-y
spellingShingle Pacharapong Khrongsee
Pedro H. O. Viadanna
Kristen N. Wilson
Tracey L. Moquin
Juan M. Campos Krauer
John A. Lednicky
Samantha M. Wisely
Kuttichantran Subramaniam
Genome characterization of two bluetongue virus serotype 5 strains isolated from white-tailed deer: first detected cases in Florida after 19 years
Discover Viruses
title Genome characterization of two bluetongue virus serotype 5 strains isolated from white-tailed deer: first detected cases in Florida after 19 years
title_full Genome characterization of two bluetongue virus serotype 5 strains isolated from white-tailed deer: first detected cases in Florida after 19 years
title_fullStr Genome characterization of two bluetongue virus serotype 5 strains isolated from white-tailed deer: first detected cases in Florida after 19 years
title_full_unstemmed Genome characterization of two bluetongue virus serotype 5 strains isolated from white-tailed deer: first detected cases in Florida after 19 years
title_short Genome characterization of two bluetongue virus serotype 5 strains isolated from white-tailed deer: first detected cases in Florida after 19 years
title_sort genome characterization of two bluetongue virus serotype 5 strains isolated from white tailed deer first detected cases in florida after 19 years
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44370-025-00023-y
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