Molecular epidemiological survey and genetic characterization of ovine gammaherpesvirus-2 in Mongolian livestock

Abstract

Sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF), caused by ovine gammaherpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2), is a fatal disease in all ruminants. The epidemiological survey and molecular characterization of OvHV-2 in Mongolian livestock were performed. Of 928 blood samples, 14 were positive for OvHV-2 in sheep and native cattle from Tsenkher County and in sheep from Lun County. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the tegument gene of OvHV-2 sequences from Mongolian animals is identical to that in animals from Egypt, India, and Turkey, and is 98.0% similar to that in animals from Germany and Brazil. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed report of OvHV-2 in Mongolian livestock, and could provide useful information for controlling SA-MCF.