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.

Highly effective inhibition of Akabane virus replication by siRNA genes.

Since 2002 there has been a rise in arthrogryposis/hydranencephaly (AGH) incidence in Israel, caused by Akabane (AKA) and, possibly, Aino viruses. To test the ability to control the disease, three siRNA genes targeted to the S genome segment were designed and prepared in the form of siRNA cassettes. For the design all published S segment were aligned and two conserved target sequences with 100% homology were chosen.