Alsubki Roua A
Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Chair of Medical and Molecular Genetics Research, College of Applied Medical Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Vet World. 2025 Jul;18(7):2106-2112. doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.2106-2112. Epub 2025 Jul 30.
Bluetongue virus (BTV), an arbovirus of major economic importance, affects domestic and wild ruminants globally and is primarily transmitted by Culicoides biting midges. The virus is endemic in many regions, yet limited data are available for Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of BTV antibodies in cattle, goats, sheep, and camels across two ecologically distinct regions in central Saudi Arabia and to assess species- and region-specific risk profiles.
A total of 1,194 serum samples were collected from apparently healthy livestock (280 cattle, 159 camels, 429 sheep, and 326 goats) in Riyadh and Al-Qassim between October 2023 and March 2024. Samples were tested for BTV antibodies using a commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis included Chi-square tests and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals to compare prevalence rates between species and regions.
The overall BTV seroprevalence was 44.6% (533/1,194). Goats had the highest prevalence (59.8%), followed by cattle (51%), sheep (36.3%), and camels (22.6%). In Riyadh, cattle (55.7%) and goats (55%) showed the highest rates, while in Al-Qassim, goats (65.7%) were most affected. Camels consistently showed the lowest seroprevalence (18.6%-25%). Statistically significant differences in seroprevalence were observed among species and between regions (p < 0.05).
BTV is endemic in central Saudi Arabia, with substantial species and regional variability. Goats and cattle are at higher risk, indicating a need for species-targeted surveillance and vector control. The findings support the implementation of national bluetongue monitoring strategies and lay the groundwork for future molecular and longitudinal studies.
蓝舌病病毒（BTV）是一种具有重大经济意义的虫媒病毒，在全球范围内影响家养和野生反刍动物，主要通过库蠓叮咬传播。该病毒在许多地区呈地方流行，但沙特阿拉伯的相关数据有限。本研究旨在确定沙特阿拉伯中部两个生态不同地区的牛、山羊、绵羊和骆驼中BTV抗体的血清阳性率，并评估物种和地区特异性风险概况。
2023年10月至2024年3月期间，从利雅得和卡西姆的明显健康家畜（280头牛、159头骆驼、429只绵羊和326只山羊）中总共采集了1194份血清样本。使用商业竞争性酶联免疫吸附测定法检测样本中的BTV抗体。统计分析包括卡方检验和95%置信区间的比值比，以比较物种和地区之间的流行率。
BTV总体血清阳性率为44.6%（533/1194）。山羊的流行率最高（59.8%），其次是牛（51%）、绵羊（36.3%）和骆驼（22.6%）。在利雅得，牛（55.7%）和山羊（55%）的阳性率最高，而在卡西姆，山羊（65.7%）受影响最大。骆驼的血清阳性率始终最低（18.6%-25%）。在物种之间和地区之间观察到血清阳性率存在统计学显著差异（p<0.05）。
BTV在沙特阿拉伯中部呈地方流行，存在显著的物种和地区差异。山羊和牛面临的风险较高，表明需要进行针对性物种监测和病媒控制。这些发现支持实施国家蓝舌病监测策略，并为未来的分子和纵向研究奠定基础。
