BTV-GLUE has helped the BTV community to study BTV biology, evolution & outbreaks to distinguish the properties of BTV strains circulating worldwide. The addition of the Culicoides distribution data to epizone maps already developed, has helped to identify risk areas for BTV transmission. A model of wind-borne Culicoides movements also helps to characterise natural barriers to vector dispersion. Collectively these models help us understand & identify pathways & risk factors in BTV incursions & epidemiology. Work is ongoing to maintain a comprehensive set of diagnostic assays to detect current & known BTV serotypes that represent outbreak risks. Work towards multiplexing assays using novel platforms like MagPlex has helped to automate throughput. Recent developments in sequencing technologies provide opportunities to identify viral pathogens using a metagenomics approach. Development of cell lines from additional midge species has helped to support studies to improve our understanding of the molecular characteristics that determine if a particular midge species is a competent vector for a specific BTV strain.Investigations of viral genetic control of infection, replication & vector competence in European Culicoides species has enhanced our understanding of viral, insect & host factors that enable BTV insect-transmission. This may help us to predict vector transmissibility of BTV strains directly by interrogation of the virus genome. Identification of virus-related genetic control of horizontal transmission (HT) in the ruminant host might allow us to predict non-vector transmissibility of BTV strains by interrogation of the virus genome. The data obtained will improve control measures & provide advice to policy makers concerning the risks posed by novel BTV strains.The development of a library of BTV specific monoclonal antibodies for BTV, was intended to support the identification of VP2 regions/epitopes involved in the protective response. They would also facilitate the development of serotype specific serological assays (e.g. ELISA). However these studies were unsuccessful in sheep & were therefore transferred to a bovine system. The delays caused by the Covid 19 outbreak delayed many aspects of the PALE-Blu studies, & the work on monoclonal antibodies is still progressing.
The generation and validation of novel vaccines, vaccination strategies & antivirals that are compatible with existing surveillance methods/assays & potentially ‘cross-serotype’ has potential to enhance our ability to respond rapidly to disease incursions. Developing effective & broad-range antiviral strategies for dsRNA viruses using the orbiviruses, could be a step towards controlling dsRNA virus replication in infected animals, including potentially humans.The PALE-Blu websites provides project related data to project members. They have a combined hit rate in excess of 3000/month.The project have also generated fact-sheets, regular e-newsletters & a short series of videos describing project outputs & impact. Like the websites, these are aimed at a wide audience, not just professionals and planners.
