Polymorphism and Phylogenetic Relationship of Bovine Leukemia Virus Isolates in the Republic of Kalmykia (Russia)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31279/2949-4796-2025-15-2-15-24Keywords:
Bovine leukemia virus (BLV), phylogenetic analysis, pol gene, genetic diversity, sequencing, proviral isolates, transregional spread, epidemiological surveillanceDownloads
Abstract
Introduction. The bovine leukemia virus (BLV), a member of the Retroviridae family, causes chronic infections leading to significant economic losses in Russian cattle farming. Despite the widespread distribution of BLV in Russian regions, data on the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of isolates in the Republic of Kalmykia remain insufficiently studied.
Aim. To analyze the polymorphism of BLV isolates in the Republic of Kalmykia using pol gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.
Materials and methods. Six proviral isolates collected from farms in the Gorodovikovsky district were investigated. The methods included DNA extraction, PCR amplification, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis using MEGA 3.1 software.
Results. High genetic similarity was found between the Kalmyk isolates and strains from Argentina, Brazil, Australia, Japan, and the USA (97–100% homology), while they differed from isolates of Northern Italy and some US strains. A connection was established with isolates from the Rostov and Kaluga regions of Russia, supported by data on interregional cattle movement.
Conclusion. The study underscores the importance of monitoring BLV genetic diversity to develop control and prevention measures and highlights the need for further research into the epidemiological pathways of virus transmission.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Alexander Y. Gendzhiev, Mikhail I. Gulyukin, Altana V. Ubushieva, Nadezhda V. Chimidova, Vladimir A. Orobets
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