Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of foot and mouth disease virus isolates in Sulaimani province, Iraq

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in Iraq. The current study can be considered as the first molecular characterization of serotype O in Iraq. The present investigation reported the determination of FMDV serotype O from local farms in Sulaimani districts in 2016 outbreaks. Samples were collected from suspected cattle. The virus was primarily detected with RT-PCR directly from mouth epithelial samples. The direct sequencing and subsequent analysis of amplified PCR products for the VP1 gene indicated the circulation of serotype O of FMD in studied areas. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis revealed that the field isolated serotype O belonged to topotype ME-SA and lineage PanAsia II and clustered with Pakistan and Iran isolates (KU365843 and KY091283) with identity (96.00%, 95.00%) respectively. Furthermore, according to the phylogenic tree, the field isolates had different lineage with the three O/Manisa vaccine strains and Iraq/2000 strains. These findings highlighted the continuous circulation of serotype O of FMD in the region.