Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Tropical Animal Health and Production, cilt.58, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Bluetongue is an arthropod-borne viral disease affecting both wild and domestic ruminants, with clinical signs most frequently observed in sheep, cattle, and goats. The causative agent, bluetongue virus (BTV), belongs to the genus Orbivirus within the family Sedoreoviridae and has a global distribution. To date, 31 distinct BTV serotypes have been identified. The present study was conducted between 2015 and 2017 in the Eastern Mediterranean provinces of Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, and Osmaniye in Türkiye. Using both serological and molecular methods, the study investigated the prevalence of BTV in domestic ruminant herds with a history of abortion and/or congenital abnormalities. Blood samples were collected from unvaccinated cattle, sheep, and goats, and tested for BTV antibodies using competitive ELISA (Ab-ELISA) and for viral RNA using real-time RT-PCR. Although the presence of BTV infection in Türkiye has been reported in several studies, research specifically focusing on the Eastern Mediterranean region is limited, particularly regarding prevalence, circulating serotypes, vector species, and spatial distribution. The climatic and geographic characteristics of this region provide favorable conditions for the survival, reproduction, and spread of Culicoides vectors. Therefore, investigating BTV circulation in this area is essential for generating updated epidemiological data and strengthening surveillance and control strategies. The serological results indicated BTV seropositivity rates of 47.65% (426/894) in cattle, 43.51% (114/262) in sheep, and 38.01% (165/434) in goats, with an overall seroprevalence of 44.33% (705/1,590) across all sampled animals. Cattle exhibited the highest seropositivity rate among the species tested, while the highest regional prevalence was recorded in Kahramanmaraş province. Temporal analysis revealed that seropositivity peaked on May and October. Despite substantial serological evidence of prior BTV exposure, real-time RT-PCR did not detect viral RNA in any of the tested samples.