Akabane and Schmallenberg diseases: similarities and differences

The article describes the characteristics of Schmallenberg and Akabane viruses that cause disease in cattle, sheep and goats. Сlinical symptoms of the diseases are described. The measures for the prevention, control and eradication of Schmallenberg and Akabane viruses are discussed. Despite the relationship of Schmallenberg and Akabane viruses and a similarity of the clinical picture and pathological changes, there are also differences. The first disease is more severe in sheep and goats than in bovine (cattle), with the viremia occurred at 1-4 days and 1-9 days (mostly 4-5 days) for Schmallenberg and Akabane viruses, respectively. Under Akabane virus infection, an encephalitis is observed in adult cattle, whereas such cases are not yet registered under the Schmallenberg disease. The authors have developed the test systems for detection of Akabane virus RNA by polymerase chain reaction and Schmallenberg virus genome by reverse transcription—polymerase chain reaction in real time (RT-PCR). For Akabane and Smallenberg viruses RNA detecting, a real time reverse transcriptase PCR-based tests have been developed by the authors.