Abstract:

Bluetongue is a viral infection that is commonly encountered in domestic and wild ruminants and is transmitted by biting midges. The cause of the disease is within Orbivirus genus of Reoviridae family and has 24 known serotypes. The infection is spread by the flies of Culicoides species. The aim of this study was to determine the serological presence of the bluetongue infection in sheep raised in various locations of Siirt province and to obtain information about the spread of the infection in the region as a whole. The study was conducted between August 2017 and February 2018, and the study consisted of 465 sheep (1-3 years old). 5 mL blood samples were taken from the jugular veins of the sheep to non-anticoagulant tubes for laboratory analyses. The blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 rpm/10 minutes and the serum were transferred to Eppendorf tubes, which were stored at -20 ºC until analysis was carried out. Determination of the Bluetongue-specific antibodies in the serum samples was performed using a commercial test kit by ELISA device. The results of the specific-antibody analysis revealed that 340 (73.12%) of 465 sheep were seropositive, while 125 (26.88%) were seronegative.  As a result, the seroprevalence of Bluetongue disease was found to be considerably high in various locations of Siirt province. Considering the findings of the study, in addition to the measures like the establishment of quarantine protocols and vector controls, utilization of different diagnostic methods and use of vaccines specific to the virus serotypes are suggested to fight the infection. 

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