Experimental infection of camels with bluetongue virus.
Three camels aged 4-5 years were experimentally infected with Bluetongue virus serotype 1 (BTV-1) and were observed for 75 days. No clinical signs of disease were observed throughout the experiment, however all three animals seroconverted and developed BTV-1 specific neutralising antibodies after challenge. All three camels developed a viraemia from 7 days post infection albeit at a lower level than that usually observed in experimental infections of sheep and cattle. Virus was isolated from the blood of all three animals suggesting that camels may act as a reservoir for BTV and play an important role in its transmission.
Batten
C A
CA
Institute for Animal Health, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK.
Harif
B
B
Henstock
M R
MR
Ghizlane
S
S
Edwards
L
L
Loutfi
C
C
Oura
C A L
CA
El Harrak
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001819:Bluetongue / Q000821:virology*; D001820:Bluetongue virus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002162:Camelus / Q000821:virology*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D013997:Time Factors; D014766:Viremia / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology