Schmallenberg virus: research on viral circulation in Brazil.

Schmallenberg virus (SBV-Orthobunyavirus serogroup Simbu) is an emerging RNA vector-borne virus which has an important impact in animal health within Europe, and some Asian and African countries. It is mainly reported in ruminants, causing congenital malformations and stillbirths. However, there are no studies regarding the occurrence, diagnosis, or surveillance of SBV in Brazil, due to the lack of diagnostic techniques available so far. This study aimed to implement a reliable diagnostic technique able to detect the SBV in Brazil and also to investigate occurrence of the virus in this country. A molecular technique, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), was used to analyze 1665 bovine blood samples and 313 aborted fetuses, as well as 596 serum samples were analyzed by serological analysis. None of the blood and fetus samples analyzed was positive for SBV, and neither serum samples were reactive for antibodies anti-SBV. Thus, although Brazil presents suitable conditions for the dissemination of the SBV, results of the present study suggest that SBV did not propagate in the analyzed bovine population.

Genetic diversity of BCoV in Brazilian cattle herds.

Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) is one of the main aetiological agents of gastroenteritis in calves, causing significant economic damage to livestock. This study aims to characterise BCoV genetically on the basis of the N gene. A total of 114 faecal samples from beef and dairy calves with or without clinical symptoms of diarrhoea from five Brazilian states (São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Santa Catarina, Mato Grosso and Bahia) were evaluated between 2008 and 2015 by technique of Semi-nested RT-PCR for gene N and genealogical analysis. Of the 114 samples analysed, 14.91% (17/114) were positive. BCoV was detected in 22.72% (10/44) of the animals with diarrhoea and in 10% (7/70) of asymptomatic animals. BCoV was identified in calves from rural properties located in all of the regions sampled. Genealogical analysis showed that the Brazilian sequences of BCoV for the gene which codes for the N protein can be broken down into two distinct clusters, and the samples from this study were closely linked to Asian strains. These results contribute to the molecular characterization of BCoV in Brazil and are the first report of the circulation of BCoV in the states of Santa Catarina and Bahia.

Prevalence of Bluetongue virus serotype 4 in cattle in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Bluetongue (BT) is considered endemic in several regions of Brazil. The State of Sao Paulo was divided into 7 cattle production regions (circuits) according the different systems of breeding, operational and logistical capacity of the state veterinary service. At least 1 animal from each property (a total of 1,716 farms) was tested by competitive ELISA for the presence of antibodies against BTV. Sero­positive sera were subsequently also tested by virus neutralization tests (VNT) using serial dilutions from 1:10 (cutoff) up to 1:640 (in MEM). BTV­4 neutralizing antibodies were detected in 86% (1,483/1,716) of the animals tested. These results show that BTV­4 is endemic and widespread in the State of San Paulo and indirectly confirm that in the State there are favourable conditions for the multiplication of competent vectors. However, as no clinical signs have ever been reported in cattle in the region, BTV­4 infection is likely to occur silently in the State of Sao Paulo.