The Status of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) in Western Türkiye: Detection of Three Subtypes

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a viral pathogen that causes significant economic losses in cattle, especially by causing abortions. Globally, BVDVs are classified into three genetically distinct types: BVDV-1, BVDV-2 and BVDV-3. Despite the presence of all three groups in Turkiye, BVDV-1 is by far the most prevalent. The aim of the study was to determine the genetic diversity of BVDV detected in materials from aborted fetus between 2017 and 2020 in western Turkiye. Sequence and phylogenetic analyzes were performed based on the 5'-UTR and Npro gene regions of BVDVs from samples, which tested positive using real time RT-PCR. According to pairwise similarity and cluster analysis the samples clustered into three different sub-types, with one dominant subtype 1d (n=4). The remaining samples clustered within subtype 1l (n=3) and 1f (n=2). In this study, different subtypes were found in abortion materials submitted from the same region. Since different subtypes of BVDV were identified even in a small geographical area of Turkiye, it is essential to prepare control and eradication programs through specific vaccination, diagnostic and mitigation programs coordinated by national government, to prevent the spread of these viruses.