Foot-and-mouth Disease (FMD) is a serious contagious viral disease affecting cloven hoofed animals.
Egypt is endemic by three FMDV serotypes, serotype O, A and SAT2. The aims of this study were to
compare between virus isolation (VI) and real time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) in diagnosis of FMDV.
Furthermore, detection and molecular characterization of FMDV serotype SAT2 in clinically affected
cattle in Ismailia governorate, Egypt during December 2015. A total of twenty oral epithelial tissues
were collected and tested by virus Isolation (VI) Real time polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) was
applied for FMDV serotyping. All the tested twenty tissue samples were positive by rRT-PCR. However,
only 17 (85%) samples were successfully positive by VI that confirmed by rRT-PCR. All the positive
samples by rRT-PCR were subjected to RT-PCR for detection of FMDV serotype SAT2 and
amplification of VP1 region for further characterization. Out of 20 samples, 11 samples (55%) were
positive and further phylogenetic analysis revealed circulation of a single strain of FMDV serotype
SAT2, topotype VII. This strain was closely related to the previously detected strains in Egypt 2012
outbreak with percentage of identity ranged from 99.1% to 99.8%. In conclusion, rRT-PCR is highly
sensitive and specific assay for diagnosis of FMDV. In addition, FMDV serotype SAT2 serotype VII
which still circulating and causing clinical disease in cattle population in Ismailia governorate.
Keywords: FMD, virus isolation, rRT-PCR, FMDV serotypes SAT-2, Ismailia-Egypt