Bluetongue Virus

Dear Colleagues,

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an arthropod-borne virus which can cause an economically important haemorrhagic disease—bluetongue—in ruminant species such as cattle and sheep. Although historically restricted to tropical and subtropical regions, the recent years have witnessed a dramatic expansion in the range of BTV, with a variety of serotypes invading Europe. As an arbovirus, the factors driving the distribution of BTV are many. As well as the virus itself, the involvement of Culicoides biting midges as the insect vector inextricably links environmental factors with BTV presence.

The events of the last two decades have driven the necessity of BTV research. BTV is now a well-characterised virus at the molecular level, and a vaccine exists. However, the virus continues to persist with continuing outbreaks in regions previously free from the disease, and the result is that many unanswered questions remain.

The aim of this Special Issue of Microorganisms is to present a collection of articles that provide a current snapshot of the research in the BTV field. Manuscripts covering all aspects of research relating to BTV and its vectors are welcome, including work from an applied angle—such as novel diagnostics and vaccines—through to more fundamental questions relating to the biology of the virus and its pathogenesis, epidemiology, and entomology.

Dr. Andrew Shaw
Guest Editor

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