Phylogenetic and serological assessment of avian metapneumovirus in broiler flocks of Qazvin province

Document Type : Full Research Paper

Authors

1 گروه بهداشت دام، طیور و آبزیان، دانشکده دامپزشکی، دانشگاه شهید چمران اهواز، اهواز، ایران

2 2Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

3 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz

4 Department of Microbiology and immunology, Faculty of Veterinary medicine, Tehran University

Abstract

Avian metapneumovirus is an important pathogen in turkeys and chickens which is responsible for causing acute upper respiratory tract infections and head swelling syndrome. In addition, it causes significant economic losses in broilers and turkey flocks, especially in association with secondary infections. This study aimed to evaluate avian metapneumovirus phylogenetically and genotypically and also to investigate the prevalence of avian metapneumovirus by ELISA method in poultry flocks of Qazvin province. 120 serum samples and 200 samples of tracheal swabs, tracheal tissue, and lungs were collected from 20 poultry flocks at the age of 3-5 weeks and with respiratory symptoms and head swelling. The results showed that 62.5% of samples were positive with the ELISA test. This study is the first serological report of avian metapneumovirus in Qazvin province. In clinical samples, the RT-PCR test based on the N gene of metapneumovirus was positive in six flocks (30%) out of 20 flocks and determining the type of positive samples with the G gene indicates that the positive samples belong to the B type of the virus. Based on serological and molecular results, broiler chickens in Qazvin province are exposed to infection with avian metapneumovirus, and therefore, it should be considered in the occurrence of respiratory syndromes in broiler flocks in this region.

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History

  • Receive Date: 26 August 2023
  • Revise Date: 04 November 2023
  • Accept Date: 26 November 2023

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