Seroprevalence and risk factors of Bluetongue virus in camels in Northern Oman: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Bluetongue virus (BTV) has emerged as a significant concern in Oman, affecting various animal species, including camels. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of BTV in camels and explore the associated risk factors within the northern region of Oman. Between October 2016 and March 2017, 439 serum samples and 100 blood samples were collected from camels in five governorates. Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) was employed to screen the serum for BTV antibodies, and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect BTV genomic RNA in blood. The findings revealed an overall seroprevalence of BTV of 56.04% (246 out of 439), with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 51.3% to 60.7%. BTV seropositivity was significantly associated with various factors, including geographical location, camel age, sex, participation in events, and a history of previous outbreaks. However, no significant correlation was found with tick infestations on farms or a history of abortion. These results underscore the enzootic and widespread nature of BTV in northern Oman, with camels appearing to manifest BTV infection as an asymptomatic or subclinical condition. To gain a more comprehensive understanding, further investigations are essential to identify the specific BTV serotypes currently in circulation within the Sultanate of Oman. The implications of these findings extend to the development of targeted interventions to manage and control the spread of BTV in this region.