Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is an orthonairovirus that can be found in Hyalomma spp. ticks. It can cause fatal disease in humans, with the potential for person-to-person transmission in clinical settings. To further characterize CCHFV within Mongolia, small (S), medium (M), and large (L) segments of viral genome were amplified. Adult unfed Hyalomma asiaticum were hand collected from the environment in Bayankhongor, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Govi-Altai, and Umnugovi aimags (provinces) located in southern Mongolia. Seven of 184 pools tested positive for CCHFV using conventional PCR targeting the S segment. Through next-generation sequencing, a full genome from a single tick pool (n = 5 ticks) collected from Dornogovi in 2022 was detected, with phylogenetic analysis of all three segments indicating the genome fell within the Asian genotype IV. The closest identity (>98%) of all three sequences were to CCHFV viral genomes identified from H. asiaticum collected within China in 2015 and 2016. Given that the Dornogovi aimag directly borders the Inner Mongolia region of China, the sequence similarity is likely attributable to the geographic proximity. Continued surveillance and genetic characterization of CCHFV within Mongolia is vital for disease surveillance as the growing threat of CCHFV in this region is compounded by the expansion of trade and risk of cross-border transmission.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is primarily transmitted by Ixodes spp. and poses significant health risks, leading to morbidity and mortality in humans. Two of the five subtypes, Siberian and Far Eastern are known to circulate in Mongolia. In 2021, Ixodes persulcatus ticks were collected from Bulgan aimag (province) using flagging and dragging methods and subsequently screened for TBEV using PCR. Positive samples underwent sequencing using an Oxford Nanopore Technologies-based hybrid capture approach, resulting in two coding-complete TBEV genomes from separate tick pools. Phylogenetic analysis classified both genomes within the Siberian subtype, grouping them with other Mongolian sequences from I. persulcatus collected in 2014, 2020, 2021, and 2023. The study sequences, PX654173 and PX654174, showed high genetic similarity (99.9% and 99.8%, respectively) to the sequence PQ479142, obtained from I. persulcatus ticks in Selenge, Mongolia, in 2021. The estimated time to most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) of the Siberian genotype was approximately 981 CE (95% HPD: 646-1347) with the emergence of a distinct Mongolian clade of TBEV around 1888 CE (95% HPD: 1834-1934). These findings highlight the value of expanded whole-genome sequencing to improve our understanding of TBEV's genetic diversity and evolutionary history in Central Asia.

Background:Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a flavivirus that causes a range of clinical presentations including severe neurological complications in humans. In Mongolia, TBEV is primarily transmitted by the Ixodes persulcatus tick, which serves as both a vector and reservoir. Historically, TBEV in Mongolian ticks has been predominantly described in the forested regions of the Bulgan and Selenge aimags (provinces). Methods:In 2021 and 2024, I persulcatus ticks (n = 240) were collected from Bulgan and Tuv aimags in northern Mongolia, respectively, and pooled into 52 groups of 1 to 7 ticks. Using polymerase chain reaction, we identified the presence of TBEV RNA in six pooled samples, which were subjected to sequencing. Results:Two full genomes of Siberian TBEV were sequenced and assembled from tick pools collected in Tuv aimag, signifying the closest documented occurrence of this pathogen to the capital of Ulaanbaatar (83 km away). An additional partial Siberian genome was sequenced from a tick pool from Bulgan aimag. Conclusions:This finding indicates an elevated risk for TBEV transmission near Mongolia's largest urban center. The detection of TBEV in I persulcatus ticks in new geographic and ecologic areas underscores the necessity for continuous surveillance of tick populations, especially in densely populated regions.

Background and Aim: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) poses a global public health concern. HEV has a single serotype and 8 genotypes. There is inadequate knowledge about risk factors and zoonotic transmission pathways of hepatitis E virus in Mongolia, although the prevalence of HEV is, on average, 12% among the Mongolian population. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of HEV G8 infection in Bayankhongor province, Mongolia. Materials and Methods: Human serum samples (309) were collected in Bogd, Bayangovi, and Bayanlig districts of Bayankhongor province, Mongolia, with a control group consisting of non-camel herders. An in-house indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to detect anti-HEV IgG. The interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to gather the data. The assessment factors included age, sex, and occupation for the respondents. Univariate analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26. The same population was tested for hepatitis B and C viruses (HBVs and HCVs) using rapid tests. Results: Of 309 samples, 41 (13.3%) tested positive for anti-HEV immunoglobulin G antibodies, 23 (7.4%) for HBV and 11 (3.6%) for HCV. HEV seropositivity was linked with water supply, khoormog consumption, and co-infection with HBV and HCV. Conclusion: HEV prevalence among Bayankhongor residents underscores potential transmission routes related to water supply and khoormog consumption, emphasizing the need for sequencing from human positive sera of HEV and preventive measures. We did not conduct the genotyping of positive human samples.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) causes neurological disease in humans, with varied clinical severity influenced by the viral subtype. TBEV is endemic to Mongolia, where both Siberian and Far-Eastern subtypes are present. Ixodes persulcatus is considered the main vector of TBEV in Mongolia; although, the virus has also been detected in Dermacentor species. To further characterize the disease ecology of TBEV within the endemic Selenge province of Mongolia, 1300 Ixodes persulcatus ticks were collected in May 2020 from regions outside Ulaanbaatar. Pooled tick samples (n = 20-50) were homogenized and the supernatant was inoculated into Vero cells. Two RT-PCR assays were conducted on the cell supernatant following an observed cytopathic effect: one for TBEV detection and the second for viral subtyping. Lysed cell cultures were processed for next-generation sequencing (NGS) using Illumina technology. TBEV was detected in 10.7% of tick pools (3/28), and isolates were identified as the Siberian subtype. Phylogenetic analysis showed PQ479142 clustering within the Siberian subtype and sharing high similarity with published isolates collected in Selenge in 2012 from Ixodes persulcatus. Subtype analysis of circulating TBEV isolates and sequencing analytics to track viral evolution in ticks are vital to continued understanding of the risk to local populations.

We performed nanopore-based metagenomic screening on 885 ticks collected from 6 locations in Mongolia and divided the results into 68 samples: 23 individual samples and 45 pools of 2-12 tick samples each. We detected bacterial and parasitic pathogens Anaplasma ovis, Babesia microti, Coxiella burnetii, Borrelia miyamotoi, Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica and novicida, Spiroplasma ixodetis, Theileria equi, and Rickettsia spp., including R. raoultii, R. slovaca, and R. canadensis. We identified the viral pathogens Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (2.9%), recently described Alongshan virus (ALSV) (2.9%), and Beiji nairovirus (5.8%). We assembled ALSV genomes, and maximum- likelihood analyses revealed clustering with viruses reported in humans and ticks from China. For ALSV, we identified surface glycoprotein markers associated with isolates from Asia viruses hosted by Ixodes persulcatus ticks. We also detected 20 virus species of unknown public health impact, including a near-complete Yanggou tick virus genome. Our findings demonstrate that nanopore sequencing can aid in detecting endemic and emerging tickborne pathogens.

Ticks and tick-borne diseases represent major threats to the public health of the Mongolian population, of which an estimated 26% live a traditional nomadic pastoralist lifestyle that puts them at increased risk for exposure. Ticks were collected by dragging and removal from livestock in Khentii, Selenge, Tuv, and Umnugovi aimags (provinces) during March-May 2020. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS) with confirmatory PCR and DNA sequencing, we sought to characterize the microbial species present in Dermacentor nuttalli (n = 98), Hyalomma asiaticum (n = 38), and Ixodes persulcatus (n = 72) tick pools. Rickettsia spp. were detected in 90.4% of tick pools, with Khentii, Selenge, and Tuv tick pools all having 100% pool positivity. Coxiella spp. were detected at an overall pool positivity rate of 60%, while Francisella spp. were detected in 20% of pools and Borrelia spp. detected in 13% of pools. Additional confirmatory testing for Rickettsia-positive pools demonstrated Rickettsia raoultii (n = 105), Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae (n = 65) and R. slovaca/R. sibirica (n = 2), as well as the first report of Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis (n = 1) in Mongolia. For Coxiella spp. reads, most samples were identified as a Coxiella endosymbiont (n = 117), although Coxiella burnetii was detected in eight pools collected in Umnugovi. Borrelia species that were identified include Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (n = 3), B. garinii (n = 2), B. miyamotoi (n = 16), and B. afzelii (n = 3). All Francisella spp. reads were identified as Francisella endosymbiont species. Our findings emphasize the utility of NGS to provide baseline data across multiple tick-borne pathogen groups, which in turn can be used to inform health policy, determine regions for expanded surveillance, and guide risk mitigation strategies.

Rabies is a highly fatal zoonotic disease that causes an estimated 60,000 human deaths each year, many of which occur in Africa and Asia where the disease is likely underreported. Uncontrolled transmission of rabies presents a major threat to public health in countries such as Mongolia, where 26% of the population lives a pastoralist lifestyle characterized by increased interaction with livestock animals. Here, we report a case of rabies exposure in a six-year-old male after being bitten by a horse in both the head region and the leg. At the suspicion of rabies, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) was initiated, with the patient receiving four doses of PEP vaccine as well as a single treatment of rabies immunoglobulin. The horse was later confirmed to be rabies-positive through rapid antigen testing and RT-PCR. Human rabies exposure from horses is unusual within Mongolia, given that historically over 70% of human rabies cases within the country are attributed to dogs, wolves, or foxes. This case further emphasizes the need for more routine vaccination of domestic animals within Mongolia. Additionally, animal bites, even from animals not frequently associated with rabies, should be treated as possible rabies exposure events.

Hepatitis E is a viral infectious disease in pigs, wild boars, cows, deer, rabbits, camels, and humans as hosts caused by Paslahepevirus. Recently, it has been detected in a wide variety of animals including domestic small ruminants. Mongolia is a land of nomadic people living with livestock such as sheep, goats, and cattle. Due to how Mongolian lifestyles have changed, pork has become popular and swine diseases have emerged. Among them, Hepatitis E disease has become a zoonotic infectious disease that needs to be addressed. The HEV problem in pigs is that infected pigs excrete the virus without showing clinical symptoms and it spreads into the environment. We attempted to detect HEV RNA in sheep which had been raised in Mongolia for a long time, and those animals living together with pigs in the same region currently. We also conducted a longitudinal analysis of HEV infection in pigs in the same area and found that they were infected with HEV of the same genotype and cluster. In this study, we examined 400 feces and 120 livers (pigs and sheep) by RT-PCR in Töv Province, Mongolia. HEV detection in fecal samples was 2% (4/200) in sheep and 15% (30/200) in pigs. The results of ORF2 sequence analysis of the HEV RT-PCR-positive pigs and sheep confirmed genotype 4 in both animals. The results suggest that HEV infection is widespread in both pigs and sheep and that urgent measures to prevent infection are needed. This case study points to the changing nature of infectious diseases associated with livestock farming. It will be necessary to reconsider livestock husbandry and public health issues based on these cases.

In order to analyze HEV seroprevalence in some animals of Mongolia, a total of 480 sera were collected from sheep, goats, cattle, horses, camels, and pigs raised in Tov, Dornogovi, and Selenge provinces. HEV zoonotic genotype 3 Virus Like Particle (VLP) protein was used in an indirect ELISA test as an antigen. A total of 68 animals, including 14 sheep, 15 goats, 4 cows, 1 horse, and 34 pigs, were diagnosed positive. The odds ratios of infection among species were high and statistically significant for pigs, sheep, and goats. Habitat and sex were statistically no significant. This study indicates that the risk of HEV infection is high among pigs, sheep, and goats in Mongolia. Nationwide comprehensive studies are needed to address food safety and public health issues in the future. Монгол орны зарим мал, амьтдад элэгний е вирусийн халдварыг ийлдэс судлалын аргаар тандсан дүн Хураангуй Монгол орны зарим мал, амьтдад элэгний Е вирусийн (ЭЕВ) халдварыг тандах зорилгоор Төв, Дорноговь, Сэлэнгэ аймгуудаас хонь, ямаа, үхэр, адуу, тэмээ, гахайн нийт 480 ийлдэс цуглуулсан. Шууд бус ФХЭБУ-ын шинжилгээнд ЭЕВ-ын зооноз 3-р хэвшлийн VLP (вирус төст хэсэг) уургийг эсрэгтөрөгч болгон ашигласан. Үүнээс 14 хонь, 15 ямаа, 4 үхэр, 1 адуу, 34 гахай, нийт 68 толгой мал, амьтад ийлдэсний шинжилгээгээр эерэг гарсан. Зүйлүүдийн хувьд гахай, хонь, ямаа илүү өндөр халдвартай байсан бөгөөд статистикийн ач холбогдолтой байв. Амьдрах орчин, хүйсийн хувьд статистикийн ач холбогдолгүй байв. Энэхүү судалгаа нь манай орны гахай, хонь, ямаанд ЭЕВ-ын халдварын эрсдэл өндөр байгааг харуулж байна. Цаашид хүнсний аюулгүй байдал, нийгмийн эрүүл мэндийн асуудлыг шийдвэрлэхийн тулд улсын хэмжээнд цогц судалгаа хийх шаардлагатай байна. Түлхүүр үг: гахай, ийлдэсний шинжилгээ, зооноз, хонь, ямаа, үхэр

The epidemiological profile of rabies virus within Mongolia remains poorly characterized despite 21,302 domestic animal cases being reported between 1970-2005. This lack of knowledge is particularly concerning given that roughly 26% of the population lives a pastoral herding lifestyle and livestock production contributes up to 18% of Mongolia's total gross domestic product (GDP). The gaps in knowledge of the rabies disease ecology within Mongolia combined with the lack of routine vaccination of domestic animals and wildlife poses a significant threat to the more than 60 million heads of livestock within Mongolia. Animal rabies case data from the General Authority for Veterinary Services and National Center for Zoonotic Diseases were used in this study. Each data point included year of report, an animal descriptor, geographic coordinates and the aimag (province) of origin. A total of 2,359 animal rabies cases were reported between 2012-2018. Cattle were the most commonly reported animal overall (861 cases), followed by goats (268), sheep (251) and dogs (221) within the domestic animal category. Red foxes were responsible for most reported wildlife cases (317) followed by wolves (151). Most rabid animals were reported in the Khuvsgul, Uvurkhangai and Govi-Altai aimags, and a positive correlation was found between livestock numbers per soum and the number of rabies cases reported. Rabies poses a significant threat to the Mongolian economy and the health of human and animal populations within Mongolia. The close association of the nomadic pastoralists with both domestic animals and wildlife represents a significant threat for disease emergence and necessitates studies that describe the ecology of rabies, which may threaten these populations.

To determine the acaricidal and insecticidal activities of working suspension of Creolin-X preparation in vitro, we collected suspension samples from a 3-ton tank before and after dipping every 200th sheep; acaricidal activity was calculated using Abbot’s (1978) formula. During the dipping process, the working solution was not freshly prepared; rather, once the suspension volume was decreased post-dipping, we added water and Creolin-X at a 1:1000 ratio to fix the liquid volume deficit. Before the dipping process, the acaricidal activity of CREOLIN-X working suspension was 100% effective against Psoroptes cuniculi within 24 hours. The acaricidal activity was changed to 92.2±1.8% after dipping the 200th sheep, 78.4±5.4% after dipping the 400th sheep, 63.8±1.1% after dipping the 1400th sheep, and 35.6±1.1% after dipping the 2810th sheep. The same results were found when the suspension solution was used against Haematopinus, Bovicola spp. The insecticidal activity was 100% before dipping any sheep, and 95%, 85%, and 45% after the same number of respective sheep mentioned in the prior were dipped. The results showed that the number of sheep affects the acaricidal activity, even though the acaricidal activity increased by 13.5-17.7% after adding the 1:1000 ratio of water and Creolin-X working solution once the suspension volume had been reduced. Further studies are required to study different ectoparasites. Креолин-х бэлдмэлийн ажлын цийдмэгийн хачиг, шавж үхүүлэх идэвхийг судалсан дүн Хураангуй Үйлдвэрлэлийн нөхцөлд 3 тонны багтаамжтай ваннанд бэлтгэсэн Креолин-Х бэлдмэлийн угаалгын ажлын цийдмэгийн дээжээс хонь угаахаас өмнө болон 200 хонь угаах бүрд авч, хачиг-шавж үхүүлэх идэвхийг in vitro орчинд туршин сорьж үр дүнг Абботын (1978) томьёогоор тогтоов. Угаалгын явцад ванн дахь ажлын цийдмэгийг шинээр найруулж бэлтгээгүй, харин дундарсан цийдмэгийг 1:1000 (бэлдмэл:ус) харьцаагаар сэлбэв. Хонь угаахын өмнөх Креолин-Х бэлдмэл (циперметрин 5%)-ийн угаалгын ажлын цийдмэгт P.cuniculi хачгийг үйлчлүүлэхэд 24 цагт 100±0% үхүүлэх идэвхтэй байв. Харин Креолин-Х бэлдмэлийн угаалгын ажлын цийдмэгт 200 хонь угаасны дараа хачиг үхүүлэх идэвх 92.2±1.8%, 400 хонь угаахад 78.4±5.4%, 1400 хонь угаахад 63.8±1.1%, 2810 хонь угаасны дараа 35.6±1.1% болсон байна. Дээрх нөхцөлд Креолин-Х бэлдмэлийн угаалгын ажлын цийдмэгийн шавж үхүүлэх идэвхийг Haematopinus, Bovicola төрлийн ширхэнд туршин сориход угаахын өмнө 100%, угаасны дараа доорх дарааллаар 95%, 85%, 45% шавж үхүүлэх идэвхтэй байна. Креолин-Х бэлдмэлийн ажлын дундарсан цийдмэгийг 1:1000-аар сэлбэсний дараа хачиг-шавж үхүүлэх идэвх 13.5-17.7%-аар өсдөг ч угаасан хонины тооноос хамаарч өөрчлөгдөх эрсдэлтэй. Цаашид энэ судалгааг өөр хачиг, шавж дээр үргэлжлүүлэх шаардлагатай. Түлхүүр үг: Креолин-Х цийдмэг, гадна шимэгч, Хонь, шавьж устгах шинж чанар

Tick-borne diseases are a major public health concern in Mongolia. Nomadic pastoralists, which make up ~ 26% of Mongolia’s population, are at an increased risk of both tick bite exposure and economic loss associated with clinical disease in herds. This study sought to further characterize tick-borne pathogens present in Dermacentor ticks ( n = 1,773) sampled in 2019 from 15 of Mongolia’s 21 aimags (provinces). The ticks were morphologically identified and sorted into 377 pools which were then screened using Next-Generation Sequencing paired with confirmatory PCR and DNA sequence analysis. Rickettsia spp. were detected in 88.33% of pools, while Anaplasma spp. and Bartonella spp. were detected in 3.18 and 0.79% of pools, respectively. Khentii had the highest infection rate for Rickettsia spp. (76.61%; CI: 34.65–94.79%), while Arkhangai had the highest infection rate for Anaplasma spp. (7.79%; CI:4.04–13.72%). The exclusive detection of Anaplasma spp. in tick pools collected from livestock supports previous work in this area that suggests livestock play a significant role in disease maintenance. The detection of Anaplasma, Bartonella, and Rickettsia demonstrates a heightened risk for infection throughout Mongolia, with this study, to our knowledge, documenting the first detection of Bartonella melophagi in ticks collected in Mongolia. Further research deploying NGS methods is needed to characterize tick-borne pathogens in other endemic tick species found in Mongolia, including Hyalomma asiaticum and Ixodes persulcatus .

The livestock industry in Mongolia accounts for 24% of national revenue, with one third of the population maintaining a pastoral lifestyle. This close connection between Mongolian population and livestock is a major concern for pathogen transfer, especially given the increase in vector-borne diseases globally. This study examines blood samples from livestock to assess the prevalence of tick-borne bacterial infections across three provinces in Mongolia (Dornogovi, Selenge, Töv). Whole blood samples from 243 livestock (cattle=38, camel=11, goat=85, horse=22, sheep=87) were analyzed with 16S metagenomics next-generation sequencing (NGS) to screen for bacterial pathogens. Positive-NGS samples for Anaplasma, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Francisella, Leptospira, and Rickettsia were confirmed by conventional PCR and DNA sequencing. Prevalence rates of Anaplasma, Bartonella, and Ehrlichia were 57.6%, 12.8%, and 0.4%, respectively. A significant difference in the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. in livestock by province was observed, with a higher prevalence in Selenge (74.2%, p<0.001) and Töv (64.2% p = 0.006) compared to the semi-arid region of Dornogovi (39.8%). In contrast, no association was observed in Bartonella prevalence by provinces. All Anaplasma sequences (N = 139) were characterized as A. ovis. For Bartonella species characterization, phylogenetic analyses of gltA and rpoB genes identified three Bartonella species including B. bovis, B. melophagi and Candidatus B. ovis. Bartonella bovis was detected in all 22-positive cattle, while B. melophagi and Candidatus B. ovis were found in four and three sheep, respectively. This study identifies a high prevalence of tick-borne pathogens within the livestock population and to our knowledge, is the first time NGS methods have been used to explore tick-borne diseases in Mongolia. Further research is needed in Mongolia to better understand the clinical and economic burdens associated with tick-borne diseases in both livestock and pastoral herder populations.

The main goal of our study was to develop a cell culture based vaccine model for equine influenza virus and within the purpose, a total of 161 equine nasal swabs were collected to detect the equine influenza virus and 15 (9.3%) samples were tested as positive with haemagglutination test (HA assay). From these positive swabs, equine influenza virus (EIV) was inoculated in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cell line. The infected cell-culture fluid was inactivated with 2-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide and mixed with MONTANIDE ISA 206 oil-based adjuvant (acid) at ratio 1: 1. The purity, toxicity, viscosity, stability, and activity of the newly prepared vaccine model was analyzed. According to our experimental results, the vaccinated horse developed an antibody titer against equine influenza 1:64-1: 128 at 30 days after the first injection, and the titer was increased at 1: 128-1: 256 at 60 days after the first injection and gradually decreased to 1: 16-1:32 at 180 days. These results showed that the vaccine model is active for 6 months. Адууны томуу өвчний эсийн өсгөвөрт вакцины загвар бэлтгэн туршсан дүн Бидний судалгааны ажлын гол зорилго нь адууны томуу өвчний эсийн өсгөвөрт вакцины загвар гарган авах бөгөөд зорилгын хүрээнд адууны томуу өвчний нутгийн үүсгэгчийг илрүүлэхээр нийт 161 адууны хамрын арчдас цуглуулж, цус наалдуулах урвалаар шалгахад 15(9.3%) дээж эерэг дүн үзүүлсэн. Эдгээр эерэг дүн үзүүлсэн арчдаснаас MDCK дамжмал эсийн өсгөвөрт халдвар хийв. Хураан авсан эмгэгт шингэнийг 2-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide бодисоор идэвхгүйжүүлээд, MONTANIDE ISA 206 тосон суурьт адьювант (хүчлүүр) бодистой 1:1 харьцаатай хольж вакцины загварыг бэлтгэсэн. Бэлтгэсэн вакцины загварын ариун чанар, хорон чанар, зуурамтгай байдал, тогтвортой байдал болон идэвхит чанарыг шалгалаа. Бидний хийсэн туршилтын дүнгээс үзвэл вакцин таригдсан адууны анхны тарилтын дараа 30 хоногтоо 1.64-1:128 таньцтай дархлаа тогтсон бөгөөд 60 дахь хоногтоо 1:128-1:256 таньцтай болж хадгалагдан тэр нь аажмаар буурч 180 хоногтоо 1:16-1:32 таньцтай болсон байна. Үр дүнгээс харахад бидний бэлтгэсэн вакцины загвар нь 6 сарын хугацаанд хамгаалах идэвхитэй байна. Түлхүүр үг: Томуу, вирус, MDCK эс , вакцин

The purpose of this study was to establish and evaluate the cell culture model vaccine produced in our situation through inoculation of Russian VNIIZJ sheep pox vaccine strain to Vero cells and challenge of target animals. The TCID50/ml of the model vaccine strain was 103.1 and the ID50/ml of the challenge strain Stravropolskii was 103.15respectively. The virulence of the model vaccine was evaluated in laboratory mice and it was safe. Total 75% of the vaccinated sheep were survived at 6-months post injecttion, while 50% of the vaccinated sheep were survived at 9-12 months’ post injection. It shows this model vaccine protected at certain level against sheep pox, and further studies are required to improve it. Хонины цэцэг өвчний эсийн өсгөвөрт вакцины загвар бэлтгэн туршсан дүн Бидний судалгааны ажлын зорилго өөрийн орны нөхцөлд хонины цэцэг өвчний эсийн өсгөвөрт вакцины загвар гарган авах байсан бөгөөд энэ ажлын хүрээнд ОХУ-ын ВНИИЗЖ хонины цэцэг өвчний омгийг Vero эсийн өсгөвөрт өсгөвөрлөн хонинд амь сорил тавих замаар шалгасан болно. Вакцины загварт хэрэглэсэн вирусын эс эмгэгшүүлэх тун 103.1 TCID50/мл харин амь сорилд ашиглах өндөр хоруу чанартай хонины цэцгийн Ставропольский амьд омгийн өвчлүүлэх тун 103.15 ӨТ50/мл байлаа. Вакцины загварын хоруу чанарыг лабораторийн хулгана ашиглан шалган үзэхэд аюулгүй байв. Вакцины загварын идэвхит чанарыг нийт 4 хонинд амь сорил тавьж шалган үзэхэд вакцины загвар таригдсанаас хойш 6 сарын дараа 75% хамгаалж, харин 9 болон 12 сар дээрээ 50% хамгаалж байгаа нь энэ вакцины загвар хонины цэцэг өвчнөөс тодорхой хэмжээнд хамгаалах идэвхитэй байгааг харуулж байна. Цаашид энэ вакцины загварыг илүү боловсруулах шаардлагатай байна. Түлхүүр үг: Vero эс, амьд вирус, вакцин, хонь

Goatpox virus (GTPV) belongs to the genus Capripoxvirus, together with sheeppox virus (SPPV) and lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV). GTPV primarily affects sheep, goats and some wild ruminants. Although GTPV is only present in Africa and Asia, the recent spread of LSDV in Europe and Asia shows capripoxviruses could escape their traditional geographical regions to cause severe outbreaks in new areas. Therefore, it is crucial to develop effective source tracing of capripoxvirus infections. Earlier, conventional phylogenetic methods, based on limited samples, identified three different nucleotide sequence profiles in the G-protein-coupled chemokine receptor (GPCR) gene of GTPVs. However, this method did not differentiate GTPV strains by their geographical origins. We have sequenced the GPCR gene of additional GTPVs and analyzed them with publicly available sequences, using conventional alignment-based methods and an alignment-free approach exploiting k-mer frequencies. Using the alignment-free method, we can now classify GTPVs based on their geographical origin: African GTPVs and Asian GTPVs, which further split into Western and Central Asian (WCA) GTPVs and Eastern and Southern Asian (ESA) GTPVs. This approach will help determine the source of introduction in GTPV emergence in disease-free regions and detect the importation of additional strains in disease-endemic areas.

Background Relapsing fever (RF) borreliae are arthropod-borne spirochetes and some of them cause human diseases, which are characterized by relapsing or recurring episodes of fever. Recently, it has been classified into two groups: soft tick-borne RF (STRF) borreliae and hard tick-borne RF (HTRF) borreliae. STRF borreliae include classical RF agents and HTRF borreliae, the latter of which include B. miyamotoi , a human pathogen recently identified in Eurasia and North America. Results In this study, we determined the genome sequences of 16 HTRF borreliae strains: 15 B. miyamotoi strains (9 from Hokkaido Island, Japan, 3 from Honshu Island, Japan, and 3 from Mongolia) and a Borrelia sp. tHM16w. Chromosomal gene synteny was highly conserved among the HTRF strains sequenced in this study, even though they were isolated from different geographic regions and different tick species. Phylogenetic analysis based on core gene sequences revealed that HTRF and STRF borreliae are clearly distinguishable, with each forming a monophyletic group in the RF borreliae lineage. Moreover, the evolutionary relationships of RF borreliae are consistent with the biological and ecological features of each RF borreliae sublineage and can explain the unique characteristics of Borrelia anserina . In addition, the pairwise genetic distances between HTRF borreliae strains were well correlated with those of vector species rather than with the geographical distances between strain isolation sites. This result suggests that the genetic diversification of HTRF borreliae is attributed to the speciation of vector ticks and that this relationship might be required for efficient transmission of HTRF borreliae within vector ticks. Conclusions The results of the present study, together with those from previous investigations, support the hypothesis that the common ancestor of borreliae was transmitted by hard-bodied ticks and that only STRF borreliae switched to using soft-bodied ticks as a vector, which was followed by the emergence of Borrelia recurrentis , lice-borne RF borreliae. Our study clarifies the phylogenetic relationships between RF borreliae, and the data obtained will contribute to a better understanding of the evolutionary history of RF borreliae.

Sheep and goat pox are caused by sheep pox virus (SPPV) and goat pox virus (GTPV), members of Capripoxvirus genus, Poxviridae family. SPPV and GTPV damage host animal’s wool and skin and reduce production of mutton and milk. Because of morbidity and mortality of the diseases, they bring huge economic burden to the country. Main goal was to compare Mongolian sheep pox, goat pox sequences with other strains that were registered in Genebank. In this study, two SPPV and two GTPV field strains from Mongolia and Perego M strain (Biocombinat SOI, Mongolia), Russian and Chinese alive vaccine strains were used. The common DNA extraction method was used and samples were amplified on a nested polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR) which amplify the full p32 gene of Capripoxvirus. The primers were designed based on the conserved sequences just outside of the p32 gene of SPPV or GTPV. By applying this method to the sheep and goat samples, suspected with SPPV and GTPV infection in Mongolia, the nested-PCR products were obtained from all samples on the predicted size, and the presence of SPPV and GTPV were confirmed via full length sequence analysis of P32 gene. Sequence comparison was performed using the online BLAST program. Sequence identities of nucleotides were analyzed using MUSCLE algorithm. A phylogenetic tree derived from nucleotide sequences was constructed for the Capripoxvirus using the neighbor joining method of MEGA (version X) software. Based on the phylogenetic tree, the Mongolian sheep pox virus, 2017 clustered together with Zabaikalsk strain and Perego strain (Biocombinat SOI, Mongolia). The Mongolian sheep pox virus, 2015 was closer to Tunisian and Chinese Gansu, Shanxi province strains. Chinese vaccine strain AV41, sequenced in this study was clustered with EF522181.1 Chinese Goat pox vaccine strain but Russian sheep pox vaccine strain, sequenced in this study was close to Mongolian goat pox viruses, 2009. The present data provides theoretical references to improve the preventive and control strategy. Based on the phylogenetic tree that we made, we conclude that SPPV and GTPV sequences in Mongolia were closer to Chinese SPPV, GTPV sequences therefore they were most likely imported from China.