Prevalence of Bluetongue and the distribution of Culicoides species in northern and southern regions of Kazakhstan in 2023–2024

IntroductionBluetongue virus (BTV) is a significant vector-borne pathogen affecting ruminants, leading to substantial economic losses, and adversely impacting livestock production worldwide. Recently, Bluetongue (BT) has emerged as a growing concern for European and Asian countries, including Kazakh...

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Main Authors: Kuandyk Zhugunissov, Dias Muzarap, Nuraiym Sarsenkulova, Muratbay Mambetaliyev, Sanat Kilibayev, Moldir Azanbekova, Marzhan Kenzhebayeva, Shalkar Tabys, Madina Abayeva, Aibarys Melisbek, Nurkuisa Rametov, Kulyaisan Sultankulova, Shawn Babiuk, Aruna Ambagala, Aslan Kerimbayev
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Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Veterinary Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1559636/full
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author Kuandyk Zhugunissov
Dias Muzarap
Nuraiym Sarsenkulova
Muratbay Mambetaliyev
Sanat Kilibayev
Moldir Azanbekova
Marzhan Kenzhebayeva
Shalkar Tabys
Madina Abayeva
Aibarys Melisbek
Nurkuisa Rametov
Nurkuisa Rametov
Kulyaisan Sultankulova
Shawn Babiuk
Shawn Babiuk
Aruna Ambagala
Aslan Kerimbayev
author_facet Kuandyk Zhugunissov
Dias Muzarap
Nuraiym Sarsenkulova
Muratbay Mambetaliyev
Sanat Kilibayev
Moldir Azanbekova
Marzhan Kenzhebayeva
Shalkar Tabys
Madina Abayeva
Aibarys Melisbek
Nurkuisa Rametov
Nurkuisa Rametov
Kulyaisan Sultankulova
Shawn Babiuk
Shawn Babiuk
Aruna Ambagala
Aslan Kerimbayev
author_sort Kuandyk Zhugunissov
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionBluetongue virus (BTV) is a significant vector-borne pathogen affecting ruminants, leading to substantial economic losses, and adversely impacting livestock production worldwide. Recently, Bluetongue (BT) has emerged as a growing concern for European and Asian countries, including Kazakhstan. This study examines the prevalence and distribution of BTV in Kazakhstan during 2023-2024, providing up-to-date information on its occurrence in livestock and Culicoides species. The findings aim to contribute to better understanding and management of BT in the region.MethodsA total of 972 whole blood and 972 serum samples were collected from cattle, sheep, and goats in the southern and northern regions of Kazakhstan, alongside 11,859 Culicoides midges in the autumn of 2023 and Spring of 2024. The serum samples were tested for BT virus (BTV)-specific antibodies using ELISA, while the whole blood and Culicoides specimens were analyzed for BTV RNA by Real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR). Morphological and molecular identification of Culicoides species was also conducted.ResultThe overall seroprevalence of BTV in Southern Kazakhstan increased across all animal species in 2024 compared to 2023, with goats showing the most notable rise (from 3.8% to 29.5%). In the northern regions, seroprevalence remained zero in 2023 but reached 10.0% in cattle by 2024. rRT-PCR results confirmed active virus circulation, with rRT-PCR-positive samples significantly higher in 2024, especially among goats (from 4.2% in 2023 to 62.0% in 2024) and cattle (from 9.2% to 34.4%). Based on morphology, nine species of Culicoides midges were identified, including C. obsoletus a known BTV vector in European countries. Four of them were genetically confirmed, and BTV RNA was detected in all four species (C. miutissimus, C. sphagnumensis, C. newsteadi, and C. pectipennis), suggesting their potential vectorial role in BTV transmission.DiscussionThis study provides new insights into the epidemiology of BT in Kazakhstan and serves as a valuable resource for veterinary professionals. The findings emphasize the need for continued surveillance and vector control strategies to mitigate the spread of BTV in the region.
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spelling doaj-art-d987f8c3a875473aad0b01c812574a682025-08-20T03:16:22ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-03-011210.3389/fvets.2025.15596361559636Prevalence of Bluetongue and the distribution of Culicoides species in northern and southern regions of Kazakhstan in 2023–2024Kuandyk Zhugunissov0Dias Muzarap1Nuraiym Sarsenkulova2Muratbay Mambetaliyev3Sanat Kilibayev4Moldir Azanbekova5Marzhan Kenzhebayeva6Shalkar Tabys7Madina Abayeva8Aibarys Melisbek9Nurkuisa Rametov10Nurkuisa Rametov11Kulyaisan Sultankulova12Shawn Babiuk13Shawn Babiuk14Aruna Ambagala15Aslan Kerimbayev16Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems, Gvardeisky, KazakhstanResearch Institute for Biological Safety Problems, Gvardeisky, KazakhstanResearch Institute for Biological Safety Problems, Gvardeisky, KazakhstanResearch Institute for Biological Safety Problems, Gvardeisky, KazakhstanResearch Institute for Biological Safety Problems, Gvardeisky, KazakhstanResearch Institute for Biological Safety Problems, Gvardeisky, KazakhstanResearch Institute for Biological Safety Problems, Gvardeisky, KazakhstanResearch Institute for Biological Safety Problems, Gvardeisky, KazakhstanResearch Institute for Biological Safety Problems, Gvardeisky, KazakhstanResearch Institute for Biological Safety Problems, Gvardeisky, KazakhstanInstitute of Ionosphere, Almaty, KazakhstanKazakh National Research Technical University named after K.I. Satbayev, Almaty, KazakhstanResearch Institute for Biological Safety Problems, Gvardeisky, KazakhstanNational Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, MB, CanadaDepartment of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, CanadaNational Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, MB, CanadaResearch Institute for Biological Safety Problems, Gvardeisky, KazakhstanIntroductionBluetongue virus (BTV) is a significant vector-borne pathogen affecting ruminants, leading to substantial economic losses, and adversely impacting livestock production worldwide. Recently, Bluetongue (BT) has emerged as a growing concern for European and Asian countries, including Kazakhstan. This study examines the prevalence and distribution of BTV in Kazakhstan during 2023-2024, providing up-to-date information on its occurrence in livestock and Culicoides species. The findings aim to contribute to better understanding and management of BT in the region.MethodsA total of 972 whole blood and 972 serum samples were collected from cattle, sheep, and goats in the southern and northern regions of Kazakhstan, alongside 11,859 Culicoides midges in the autumn of 2023 and Spring of 2024. The serum samples were tested for BT virus (BTV)-specific antibodies using ELISA, while the whole blood and Culicoides specimens were analyzed for BTV RNA by Real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR). Morphological and molecular identification of Culicoides species was also conducted.ResultThe overall seroprevalence of BTV in Southern Kazakhstan increased across all animal species in 2024 compared to 2023, with goats showing the most notable rise (from 3.8% to 29.5%). In the northern regions, seroprevalence remained zero in 2023 but reached 10.0% in cattle by 2024. rRT-PCR results confirmed active virus circulation, with rRT-PCR-positive samples significantly higher in 2024, especially among goats (from 4.2% in 2023 to 62.0% in 2024) and cattle (from 9.2% to 34.4%). Based on morphology, nine species of Culicoides midges were identified, including C. obsoletus a known BTV vector in European countries. Four of them were genetically confirmed, and BTV RNA was detected in all four species (C. miutissimus, C. sphagnumensis, C. newsteadi, and C. pectipennis), suggesting their potential vectorial role in BTV transmission.DiscussionThis study provides new insights into the epidemiology of BT in Kazakhstan and serves as a valuable resource for veterinary professionals. The findings emphasize the need for continued surveillance and vector control strategies to mitigate the spread of BTV in the region.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1559636/fullbluetongueKazakhstanCulicoidesserologyRNA detection
spellingShingle Kuandyk Zhugunissov
Dias Muzarap
Nuraiym Sarsenkulova
Muratbay Mambetaliyev
Sanat Kilibayev
Moldir Azanbekova
Marzhan Kenzhebayeva
Shalkar Tabys
Madina Abayeva
Aibarys Melisbek
Nurkuisa Rametov
Nurkuisa Rametov
Kulyaisan Sultankulova
Shawn Babiuk
Shawn Babiuk
Aruna Ambagala
Aslan Kerimbayev
Prevalence of Bluetongue and the distribution of Culicoides species in northern and southern regions of Kazakhstan in 2023–2024
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
bluetongue
Kazakhstan
Culicoides
serology
RNA detection
title Prevalence of Bluetongue and the distribution of Culicoides species in northern and southern regions of Kazakhstan in 2023–2024
title_full Prevalence of Bluetongue and the distribution of Culicoides species in northern and southern regions of Kazakhstan in 2023–2024
title_fullStr Prevalence of Bluetongue and the distribution of Culicoides species in northern and southern regions of Kazakhstan in 2023–2024
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of Bluetongue and the distribution of Culicoides species in northern and southern regions of Kazakhstan in 2023–2024
title_short Prevalence of Bluetongue and the distribution of Culicoides species in northern and southern regions of Kazakhstan in 2023–2024
title_sort prevalence of bluetongue and the distribution of culicoides species in northern and southern regions of kazakhstan in 2023 2024
topic bluetongue
Kazakhstan
Culicoides
serology
RNA detection
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1559636/full
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