Genetic characterization and molecular epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease viruses isolated from Afghanistan in 2003-2005.
Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) isolates collected from various geographic locations in Afghanistan between 2003 and 2005 were genetically characterized, and their phylogeny was reconstructed utilizing nucleotide sequences of the complete VP1 coding region. Three serotypes of FMDV (types A, O, and Asia 1) were identified as causing clinical disease in Afghanistan during this period. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the type A viruses were most closely related to isolates collected in Iran during 2002-2004. This is the first published report of serotype A in Afghanistan since 1975, therefore indicating the need for inclusion of serotype A in vaccine formulations that will be used to control disease outbreaks in this country. Serotype O virus isolates were closely related to PanAsia strains, including those that originated from Bhutan and Nepal during 2003-2004. The Asia 1 viruses, collected along the northern and eastern borders of Afghanistan, were most closely related to FMDV isolates collected in Pakistan during 2003 and 2004. Data obtained from this study provide valuable information on the FMDV serotypes circulating in Afghanistan and their genetic relationship with strains causing FMD in neighboring countries.
Schumann
Kate R
KR
Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Orient Point, NY 11957, USA. Kate.R.Schumann@aphis.usda.gov
Knowles
Nick J
NJ
Davies
Paul R
PR
Midgley
Rebecca J
RJ
Valarcher
Jean-Francois
JF
Raoufi
Abdul Quader
AQ
McKenna
Thomas S
TS
Hurtle
William
W
Burans
James P
JP
Martin
Barbara M
BM
Rodriguez
Luis L
LL
Beckham
Tammy R
TR
D000346:Afghanistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D002417:Cattle; D005536:Foot-and-Mouth Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D029544:Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005814:Genes, Viral; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D012703:Serotyping
D036022:Capsid Proteins; D012367:RNA, Viral; C442501:VP1 protein, Foot-and-mouth disease virus