[Genetic characterization of the Batken virus (BKNV) (Orthomyxoviridae, Thogotovirus) isolated from the Ixodidae ticks Hyalomma marginatum Koch, 1844 and the mosquitoes Aedes caspius Pallas, 1771, as well as the Culex hortensis Ficalbi, 1889 in the Central Asia].

The prototype strain LEIV-K306 of the Batken virus (BKNV) was isolated from the Ixodidae ticks Hyalomma marginatum Koch, 1844 collected from sheep near town Batken (Kirgizstan) in the April 1970. Later, the BKNV was isolated in Kirgizstan from the mixed pool of the Aedes caspius Pallas, 1771 and Culex hortensis Ficalbi, 1889 mosquitoes. From the very beginning, the BKNV was discussed to be very close to the Dhori virus (DHOV) (Orthomyxoviridae, Thogotovirus) isolated from the Ixodidae ticks Hyalomma dromedarii Koch, 1844 in India. In this work, virtually complete genome sequence (MiSeq, Illumina) of the BKNV was determined (ID GenBank KJ396672-4). Structural and non-structural proteins of the BKNV have a high level of homology with DHOV - 98% (PB1) and 96% (PB2, PA, NP, M). Homology of HA protein between the BKNV and DHOV is 90%, which accounts for antigenic difference between these close relative viruses. Since the differences in the other structural and non-structural proteins are about 96-98%, the BKNV could be suggested as the topotypic DHOV strain for Central Asia, Transcaucasia, and Northern Caspian region. The evolution divergence of the BKNV and DHOV for HA could be explained by local ecologic peculiarities of the BKNV areal.