Establishing a molecular toolbox of lineage-specific real-time RT-PCR assays for the characterization of foot-and-mouth disease viruses circulating in Asia.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in many Asian countries, with outbreaks occurring regularly due to viruses from serotypes O, A, and Asia1 that co-circulate in the region. The ability to rapidly characterize new virus occurrences provides critical information to understand the epidemiology and risks associated with field outbreaks, and helps in the selection of appropriate vaccines to control the disease. FMD lineage-specific characterization is usually determined through sequencing; however, this capacity is not always readily available.

The evolution and phylodynamics of serotype A and SAT2 foot-and-mouth disease viruses in endemic regions of Africa.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a major livestock disease with direct clinical impacts as well as indirect trade implications. Control through vaccination and stamping-out has successfully reduced or eradicated the disease from Europe and large parts of South America. However, sub-Saharan Africa remains endemically affected with 5/7 serotypes currently known to be circulating across the continent.

Opportunities for enhanced surveillance of foot-and-mouth disease in endemic settings using milk samples.

Under-reporting of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) masks the true prevalence in parts of the world where the disease is endemic. Laboratory testing for the detection of FMD virus (FMDV) is usually reliant upon the collection of vesicular epithelium and fluid samples that can only be collected from acutely infected animals, and therefore animals with sub-clinical infection may not be identified. Milk is a non-invasive sample type routinely collected from dairy farms that has been utilized for surveillance of a number of other diseases.

Genome Sequences of Antigenically Distinct Serotype O Foot-and-Mouth Disease Viruses from Pakistan.

The genome sequences of three serotype O foot-and-mouth disease viruses (FMDVs) isolated from outbreaks in Pakistan in 2016 and 2017 are described. Despite all three isolates being classified in the same FMDV genetic sublineage, two of them displayed a distinct antigenic phenotype against commonly used vaccine strains.

Reconstructing the evolutionary history of pandemic foot-and-mouth disease viruses: the impact of recombination within the emerging O/ME-SA/Ind-2001 lineage.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease of livestock affecting animal production and trade throughout Asia and Africa. Understanding FMD virus (FMDV) global movements and evolution can help to reconstruct the disease spread between endemic regions and predict the risks of incursion into FMD-free countries. Global expansion of a single FMDV lineage is rare but can result in severe economic consequences.