title: Genome sequence of a reassortant strain of bluetongue virus serotype 23 from western India.
abstract: The full genome sequence (19,177 bp) of an Indian strain (IND1988/02) of bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 23 was determined. This virus was isolated from a sheep that had been killed during a severe bluetongue outbreak that occurred in Rahuri, Maharashtra State, western India, in 1988. Phylogenetic analyses of these data demonstrate that most of the genome segments from IND1988/02 belong to the major "eastern" BTV topotype. However, genome segment 5 belongs to the major "western" BTV topotype, demonstrating that IND1988/02 is a reassortant. This may help to explain the increased virulence that was seen during this outbreak in 1988. Genome segment 5 of IND1988/02 shows >99% sequence identity with some other BTV isolates from India (e.g., BTV-3 IND2003/08), providing further evidence of the existence and circulation of reassortant strains on the subcontinent.
authors.affiliation: Vector-Borne Diseases Programme, Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright, Woking Surrey, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sushila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maan
authors.forename: Narender S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Maan
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guimera
authors.forename: Kyriaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nomikou
authors.forename: Karam Pal
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pullinger
authors.forename: Manjunatha N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Belaganahalli
authors.forename: Peter P C
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Mertens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001819:Bluetongue / Q000821:virology*; D001820:Bluetongue virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016679:Genome, Viral; D007194:India; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016865:Reassortant Viruses / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012756:Sheep