Multiple invasions of O1 FMDV serotype into Israel revealed by genetic analysis of VP1 genes of Israeli's isolates from 1989 to 2007.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), one of the most dangerous viruses affecting cloven-hoofed animals, comprises seven serotypes that do not mutually cross-protect, with a total of about 80 subtypes. The Middle East is an FMD-endemic region, with repeated FMD outbreaks and In spite of its compulsory vaccination policy in Israel, outbreaks occur repeatedly. In order to compare the Israeli isolates, the complete viral VP1 genes of representative viruses isolated during the major outbreaks from 1989 to 2007 were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis, which showed that each outbreak was initiated by introduction of a new virus lineage and not by endemic and resident viruses.

The use of lumpy skin disease virus genome termini for detection and phylogenetic analysis.

During 2006 and 2007 there were two outbreaks of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in Israel. An LSD virus (LSDV)-specific PCR assay was developed that can detected specifically LSDV even though the number of tested LSDV isolates were limited. Full-length sheep pox and LSDV genome sequences were aligned to find non-homologous regions, which were then used for preparing specific primers, whose specificity was tested against several LSDV DNA isolates and the system could detect all the different isolates.

Cleavage of Akabane virus S RNA in the brain of infected ruminants.

Since 2002 there has been a rise in arthrogryposis/hydranencephaly incidence in Israel, caused by Akabane viruses (AKAV) and possibly by Aino viruses. In response to the outbreak, serological, molecular-diagnostic and research tools were developed. AKAV sequences were detected by real-time RT-PCR in the brain tissue of 2 out of 20 tested calves and lambs that suffered from hydranencephaly.

A real-time RT-quantative(q)PCR for the detection of bovine ephemeral fever virus.

A quantitative reverse-transcriptase real-time PCR assay, using TaqMan chemistry, for detecting bovine ephemeral virus (BEFV) is described. Available G gene sequences of viral RNA were aligned, and primers and probes were designed to recognize the virus. To quantitate the viruses, cDNA containing the real-time amplicon was prepared with a forward primer carrying the T7 promoter sequences.

Inhibition of foot-and-mouth disease virus replication by small interfering RNA.

Foot-and-mouth disease, caused by foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), is one of the most dangerous diseases of cloven-hoofed animals and is a constant threat to the dairy and beef industries in the Middle East and other regions of the world, despite intensive vaccination programmes. In this work, the ability of specific small interfering (si)RNAs to inhibit virus replication in BHK-21 cells was examined. By using bioinformatic computer programs, all FMDV sequences in public-domain databases were analysed.

Akabane virus in Israel: a new virus lineage.

This report describes the first molecular characterization of Akabane virus (AKAV) in Israel. The virus was recognized by real-time RT-PCR in extracts from Culicoides imicola insects trapped at the Volcani Center located in the center of Israel. This is also the first report on the use of real-time RT-PCR to identify the virus.

Detection and quantitation of akabane and aino viruses by multiplex real-time reverse-transcriptase PCR.

A multiplex, quantitive reverse-transcriptase real-time PCR, using MGB TaqMan chemistry, for detecting akabane virus (AKAV) and aino virus (AINV) is described. Each specific probe was labeled with a different fluorescent dye--VIC for detecting AKAV and 6-carboxy-fluorescein (FAM) for detecting AINV. All available sequences of viral S RNA were aligned and primers and probes were designed so that AKAV primers and probes would recognize all AKAVs but not AINV, and vice versa.