Bovine viral diarrhoea virus genotype 1 can be separated into at least eleven genetic groups

Seventy-eight bovine viral diarrhoea viruses (BVDV) recently collected in A ustria, France, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, Spain and UK were genetically typ ed in the 5'-untranslated (5'UTR) and autoprotease (N-pro) regions of the p estivirus genome. Seventy-six of the isolates were BVDV-1 and two French is olates were of the BVDV-2 genotype. Phylogenetic analysis of the 5'UTR (245 nt), including additional BVDV-1 sequences from USA, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Mozambique and Sweden, taken from GenBank and from our previous wo rks, indicated that these viruses were clustered not only into the two gene rally accepted groups (BVDV-1a - "NADL like" and BVDV-1b - "Osloss like''), but altogether into 11 phylogenetic groups. Similar clustering was observe d with N-pro region sequences (385 nt) and the highest bootstrap values lov er 95%) were obtained by phylogeny combining S'UTR and N-pro sequences. Som e associations between the genetic grouping and the origin of the isolates were apparent, probably reflecting historical trade contacts. Considering t he variability of isolates it is recommended that diagnostic PCR primers sh ould be re-examined to ensure coverage of all BVDV-1 groups. The genogroups were less clearly differentiated by monoclonal antibody typing, suggesting significant antigenic similarities within the BVDV-1 genotype.