First Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Pseudorabies Virus Detected in Turkey

Abstract Pigs are the main host species for the pseudorabies virus, while it causes fatal encephalitis in many species including human being. The objective of this article is to report the first clinical case of pseudorabies as well as isolation and molecular characterization of the virus from a hunting dog in Bursa province, Turkey. The dog showing clinical signs including pruritus and neurological signs as stumbling and inability to stand up compatible with pseudorabies. The virus isolate was obtained from supernatant of fresh tissue samples from cerebellum, cornu ammonis, spleen, salivary gland, and conjunctival swab, as well as serum, and buffy coat samples. The glycoprotein C region is targeted for viral DNA amplification. Pseudorabies virus genome was detected both in fresh tissues and supernatants of 3rd passage on Vero cells. Number of PCR positive samples were dramatically increased after having cell culture inoculations. Genome sequencing revealed that the strain (Bursa-10303) isolated in Turkey where a non-endemic area is for the virus is dropped into clade A. This study confirms the presence of psedorabies infection in the wild life reservoirs in Turkey. Future studies may clarify the importance of the infection for Turkey where there is no common pig production.