The role of indigenous wild, semidomestic, and exotic birds in the epizootiology of velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease in southern California, 1972-1973.

During an epornitic of velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease (VVND) in southern California, free-flying wild birds, captive and free-ranging semidomestic birds, and exotic birds were collected from the quarantine area to determine their role in the epizootiology of the disease. The VVND virus was isolated from 0.04% of 9,446 free-flying wild birds, 0.76% of 4,367 semidomestic birds, and 1.01% of 3,780 exotic birds examined. Three house sparrows and 1 crow directly associated with infected poultry flocks were the only free-flying wild birds from which VVND virus was isolated. Among semidomestic species, ducks, quail, chukars, pheasants, peafowl, pigeons, and doves were found to be infected. Psttacines, pittas, and toucans accounted for 92% of the VVND virus isolations from exotic birds. In addition, domestic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was isolated from 0.29% of the free-flying wild birds, from 1.65% of the semidomestic birds, and from 0.19% of the exotic birds collected. Hemagglutination-inhibition against domestic NDV was demonstrated in 0.24% of 3,796 wild bird serums, 8.28% of 2,004 semidomestic bird serums, and 3.90% of 231 exotic bird serums tested. Although few free-flying wild birds were infected with VVND virus in this epornitic, the isolation of domestic NDV strains from free-flying wild ducks and mourning doves suggests the potential for transportation of NDV over long distances by migratory birds.     

Phylogenetic analysis of Newcastle disease viruses isolated from wild birds in the Poyang Lake region of China

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) causes a highly contagious viral disease in poultry and wild birds, and it can cause significant economic loss worldwide. Eight viral strains were isolated by inoculating embryonated chicken eggs from the Poyang Lake region of China with swab samples. All eight of the NDV isolates were identified as class I genotype 3 strains, but they diverged notablely from class II viruses. Further analysis revealed that all eight NDV isolates were lentogenic strains containing the ¹¹²ERQER↓L¹¹⁷ motif at the F protein cleavage site. The strains were highly identical and were more species specific (chicken and waterfowl) than site specific (Nanchang and Duchang regions). The close phylogenetic proximity of these isolates indicates that viral transmission may happen between poultry and wild birds. Our study demonstrates that lentogenic class I NDVs exist in clinically healthy wild waterfowl and poultry within the Poyang Lake region. Active surveillance of these viruses to determine their evolution and origin is one of the most realistic strategies for preventing and controlling NDV outbreaks.     

Molecular characterization of Newcastle disease viruses isolated from rural chicken in northwest Ethiopia reveals the circulation of three distinct genotypes in the country

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious disease that affects many species of birds and causes significant economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. Fifteen Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates obtained from rural chickens in northwest Ethiopia in 2011 and 2012 were characterized genotypically. The main functional region of the F gene was amplified and sequenced (260 nucleotides). Among the Ethiopian NDV isolates, 2 isolates had the virulent motif ¹¹²R-R-Q-K-R-F¹¹⁷ at the cleavage site of the fusion protein while 13 isolates contained the lentogenic motif ¹¹²G-G/R-Q-G-R-L¹¹⁷. Phylogenetic analysis based on the variable region of the F gene indicated that the two isolates exhibiting the virulent motif belonged to lineage 5 (genotype VII) subgenotype d and the remaining 13 isolates were grouped into lineage 2 (genotype II). The nucleotide sequences of lineage 5 isolates were genetically related to the Sudanese NDV isolates, suggesting potential epidemiological link of ND outbreaks between neighbouring countries. The lentogenic strains shared similarities with La Sota vaccine strain and probably originated from the vaccine strain either through direct exposure of birds to the live vaccine or to infectious La Sota-like strains circulating in rural poultry. This study provides genetic evidence on the existence of different NDV genotypes circulating in the rural poultry in Ethiopia. The virulent NDV continues to be a problem in poultry sector in Ethiopia, and their continuous circulation in rural and commercial poultry calls for improved surveillance and intensified vaccination and other control measures.     

Newcastle disease and avian influenza A virus in wild waterfowl in South Africa

In an intensive ostrich farming area in South Africa with a history of ostrich influenza outbreaks, we conducted a survey of avian influenza virus (AIV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in wild aquatic birds. During late autumn and winter 1998, the time of year when outbreaks in ostriches typically start to occur, 262 aquatic birds comprising 14 species were sampled and tested for both virus infections. From eight samples, AIV, serotype H10N9, could be isolated. All isolates were apathogenic as determined by the intravenous pathogenicity index (0.00). Conversely, none of 33 sera of these wild birds showed antibodies against H10. However, one bird was found serologically positive for H6 AIV. This AIV serotype was later isolated from ostriches during an avian influenza outbreak in this area. No NDV was isolated although 34 of 46 serum samples contained NDV-specific antibodies. This is the first H10N9 isolate to be reported from Africa. In addition, our data support the notion that wild aquatic birds may function as a reservoir for AIV and NDV in South Africa.     

野禽新城疫病毒F和HN基因的遗传变异趋势

野禽携带的新城疫病毒是新城疫流行传播的重要的潜在传染源。结合本实验室克隆测序的鸽NDV(PB9601)、企鹅NDV(QE01)以及GenBank下载的44株野禽(包括野鸭、鹦鹉、鸽子、天鹅、鸳鸯、雁、火鸡等)的NDV毒株的融合蛋白(Fusion gene,F)基因和血凝素蛋白(Hemagglutinin-neuraminidase gene,HN)基因分别进行了F蛋白裂解位点、基因分型以及F和HN基因氨基酸全长的遗传距离分析。结果表明:野禽感染NDV F基因的基因型以Ⅶ和Ⅵ为主,同时Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅴ和Ⅸ多种基因型并存。同一种属、同一地区的毒株间的遗传距离较近,具有明显的种属性和区域性,且绝大多数分离株与经典毒株LaSota、V4、B1、TEX-48等的遗传距离相对较远;对HN基因的遗传进化关系分析得出了相似的结论。     

Characterization of Newcastle Disease Viruses Isolated from Chickens and Ducks in Tamilnadu,India

During 1993, outbreaks of Newcastle disease occurred on many farms in Tamilnadu, India. Six Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates were obtained from the chickens on five different farms and from the birds on one duck farm during outbreaks of the disease. All the isolates were characterized as velogenic, based on the mean death time, intravenous pathogenicity index, intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI), stability of haemagglutinin at 56°C, agglutination of equine erythrocytes, haemagglutination elution pattern and adsorption of haemagglutinin by chick brain cells. The isolate obtained from ducks resembled a group D strain, based on its ICPI and its reaction with a panel of monoclonal antibodies. The other five NDV isolates obtained from chickens were placed in groups B(1), C1(2) and D(2) on the basis of their binding patterns with the panel of monoclonal antibodies. In challenge experiments, it was found that LaSota vaccine provided 100% protection against each of these field isolates and against a local NDV strain obtained from the Institute of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Tamilnadu, India, while unvaccinated chickens succumbed to challenge. The possible origin of epizootic viruses causing outbreaks in vaccinated flocks is discussed.     

Simultaneous detection and differentiation of Newcastle disease and avian influenza viruses using oligonucleotide microarrays

Newcastle disease (ND) and avian influenza (AI) are two of the most important zoonotic viral diseases of birds throughout the world. These two viruses often have a great impact upon the poultry industry. Both viruses are associated with transmission from wild to domestic birds, and often display similar signs that need to be differentiated. A rapid surveillance among wild and domestic birds is important for early disease detection and intervention, and is the basis for what measures should be taken. The surveillance, thus, should be able to differentiate the diseases and provide a detailed analysis of the virus strains. Here, we described a fast, simultaneous and inexpensive approach to the detection of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and avian influenza virus (AIV) using oligonucleotide microarrays. The NDV pathotypes and the AIV haemagglutinin subtypes H5 and H7 were determined at the same time. Different probes on a microarray targeting the same gene were implemented in order to encompass the diversified virus strains or provide multiple confirmations of the genotype. This ensures good sensitivity and specificity among divergent viruses. Twenty-four virus isolates and twenty-four various combinations of the viruses were tested in this study. All viruses were successfully detected and typed. The hybridization results on microarrays were clearly identified with the naked eyes, with no further imaging equipment needed. The results demonstrate that the detection and typing of multiple viruses can be performed simultaneously and easily using oligonucleotide microarrays. The proposed method may provide potential for rapid surveillance and differential diagnosis of these two important zoonoses in both wild and domestic birds.     

一株新疆野鸟源新城疫病毒的分离鉴定、F基因克隆及遗传进化分析

为了解新疆野鸟新城疫病毒（Newcastle disease virus,NDV）感染情况,分析其分子特征和基因变异特点,防止新城疫的暴发和蔓延,本试验用9日龄SPF鸡胚进行病毒的分离传代,HA、HI试验和RT-PCR方法对位于"东非-西亚迁徙线"福海县的野鸟进行了NDV检测,分离到1株野鸟源NDV,并命名为NDV/Pintail/CH（XJ）/01/2016。结果表明,该NDV分离株F基因ORF长1 662 bp,编码553个氨基酸,F基因碱性裂解位点序列为¹¹²G-R-Q-G-R-L¹¹⁷,符合弱毒株特征;遗传进化分析显示,NDV/Pintail/CH（XJ）/01/2016与乌克兰鸽源分离株Doneck/3/968、比利时鸭源分离株Simeonovgrad核苷酸同源性均为99.7%,属于NDV ClassⅡ基因Ⅱ型。而上述3株病毒均与疫苗毒La Sota具有较高同源性（99.5%~99.8%）。本研究结果为家禽NDV外流进入自然环境提供了论据。     

Isolation and Identification,F Gene Cloning and Evolutionary Analysis of Newcastle Disease Virus Isolated from Wild Birds in Xinjiang

In order to understand inflection of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) of Xinjiang wild birds, through analysis of molecular characteristics and genetic variation, to prevent the outbreak and spread of Newcastle disease, isolation of the virus was performed in 9 days old specific pathogen free (SPF) chicken embryos, detected the wild birds in Fuhai county which was located in the migration line of East Africa-West Asia by HA, HI test and RT-PCR method. And then 1 strain of NDV from wild birds was isolated, named as NDV/Pintail/CH(XJ)/01/2016. As the result, ORF of F gene from the NDV isolate was 1 662 bp, encoding 553 amino acids. The motif of the cleavage site was ¹¹²G-R-Q-G-R-L¹¹⁷, which was consistent with the characteristics of avirulent NDV strains. The phylogenetic analysis showed that NDV/Pintail/CH(XJ)/01/2016 nucleotide sequence homologies of F gene between reference strain Doneck/3/968 and mule Simeonovgrad strain homology were high and reached 99.7%, it belonged to genotype Ⅱ of Class Ⅱ NDV. All of the three viruses had high homology to the vaccine strain La Sota,which were 99.5% to 99.8%. According to this research conclusion we provided evidence that poultry NDV outflowed into the natural environment.     

Isolation of avian paramyxovirus-2 from domestic and wild birds in Costa Rica

A survey for Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in wild birds of Costa Rica was conducted by swabbing wild-caught pet birds, backyard chickens, and wild birds captured in Japanese mist nets in tropical rain forests and agricultural areas. Cloacal swabs were collected from 876 birds of approximately 132 species representing 24 taxonomic families. Hemagglutinating agents were isolated from 18.7% of the birds. Paramyxovirus type 2(PMV-2) (Yucaipa-like), unreported in free-flying passerines in the Americas, was recovered from a finch, wren, and chicken, each from a different location. Pathogenicity trials with infected turkey poults and newly hatched chicks did not result in growth impairment or significant clinical signs of disease. Attempts to isolate NDV were negative.     

野禽新城疫病毒F和HN基因的遗传变异趋势

野禽携带的新城疫病毒是新城疫流行传播的重要的潜在传染源.结合本实验室克隆测序的鸽NDV(PB9601)、企鹅NDV(QE01)以及GenBank下载的44株野禽(包括野鸭、鹦鹉、鸽子、天鹅、鸳鸯、雁、火鸡等)的NDV毒株的融合蛋白(Fusion gene,F)基因和血凝素蛋白(Hemagglutinin-neuraminidase gene,HN)基因分别进行了F蛋白裂解位点、基因分型以及F和HN基因氨基酸全长的遗传距离分析.结果表明:野禽感染NDV F基因的基因型以Ⅶ和Ⅵ为主,同时I、II、V和IX多种基因型并存.同一种属、同一地区的毒株间的遗传距离较近,具有明显的种属性和区域性,且绝大多数分离株与经典毒株LaSota、V4、B1、TEX-48等的遗传距离相对较远;对HN基因的遗传进化关系分析得出了相似的结论.     

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of new Newcastle disease virus isolates from the mainland of China

Seventy-nine velogenic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates were obtained from infected chicken flocks during the outbreaks of Newcastle disease (ND) in various regions of the mainland of China in 2006. The F gene fragment (535 bp, from nt 47 to 581 of the F gene) which codes the main functional region of the F protein was obtained by RT-PCR and sequenced. All sequences obtained in this study have been submitted to GenBank. All the isolates have the motif ¹¹²R-R-Q/R-K/R-R-F¹¹⁷ at the cleavage site of the fusion protein, which is typical of velogenic NDV isolates. For genotyping, a phylogenetic tree based on nucleotides 47–435 of the F gene was constructed, and the 79 isolates could be divided into two genotypes, namely VIId and III. Most of the isolates proved to be of genotype VIId; only two isolates were of genotype III. Genotype VIId NDV has been the predominant pathogen responsible for most Newcastle disease outbreaks in China. The proportion of isolates of genotype VIId NDV shows an increasing trend, according to studies on the molecular epidemiology of NDV in China from 2002 to 2006.     

Newcastle disease--seroepidemiologic study of a highly contagious epizootic in poultry and in wild birds in Switzerland

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious viral disease particularly of domestic poultry. Switzerland is currently declared free from ND. A serosurvey using an ELISA was performed to investigate infections with ND-Virus (NDV) in 260 Swiss laying hen flocks, 169 backyard poultry flocks and 1576 wild birds. For laying hen flocks, a stochastic model was applied to analyse the results from serological testing. Four laying hen flocks were identified as NDV-seropositive, and the true NDV seroprevalence in this population was most likely between 1.3 and 1.5%. NDV antibodies were also detected in five of the 169 backyard poultry-flocks. ND-antibody positive birds were found in 10% of all wild birds examined, with the highest proportions among cormorants, grebes, birds of prey, owls, and swifts. The study indicated that positive flocks must have been in contact with NDV strains causing sub-clinical infection, since no clinical signs had been observed. Moreover, trade of poultry or poultry eggs was considered to be an important factor associated with seropositivity in backyard poultry flocks. Contact to wild birds did not seem to be of major importance.     

新城疫单抗ELISA试剂盒检测鸽新城疫病毒

用新城疫（ND）单抗酶联免疫（ELISA）试剂盒检测23例疑似ND的鸽泄殖腔棉拭样品，7份阳性样品用SPF鸡胚均会离到病毒，该病毒凝集鸡红细胞，并就抗新城疫病毒（NDV）阳性血清所抑制，其中4株病毒的MDT在48－68.6h之间，ICPI为1.55-1.85。试验结果表明所分离的病毒为NDV，亦表明ND单抗ELISA试剂盒能够检出鸽NDV，并可作为鸽群中NDV流行病学调查的有效手段。     

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of new Newcastle disease virus isolates from the mainland of China

Seventy-nine velogenic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates were obtained from infected chicken flocks during the outbreaks of Newcastle disease (ND) in various regions of the mainland of China in 2006. The F gene fragment (535 bp, from nt 47 to 581 of the F gene) which codes the main functional region of the F protein was obtained by RT-PCR and sequenced. All sequences obtained in this study have been submitted to GenBank. All the isolates have the motif ¹¹²R-R-Q/R-K/R-R-F¹¹⁷ at the cleavage site of the fusion protein, which is typical of velogenic NDV isolates. For genotyping, a phylogenetic tree based on nucleotides 47–435 of the F gene was constructed, and the 79 isolates could be divided into two genotypes, namely VIId and III. Most of the isolates proved to be of genotype VIId; only two isolates were of genotype III. Genotype VIId NDV has been the predominant pathogen responsible for most Newcastle disease outbreaks in China. The proportion of isolates of genotype VIId NDV shows an increasing trend, according to studies on the molecular epidemiology of NDV in China from 2002 to 2006.     

Comparison of Newcastle disease viruses isolated from cormorants in Canada and the USA in 1975, 1990 and 1992.

Seventeen Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates obtained from cormorants, turkeys, a pelican, and a gull in Canada and the USA collected in 1975, 1990 and 1992 were analyzed for relatedness by monoclonal antibody profiling. In addition, nucleotide sequence analysis was performed in two areas of the fusion (F) gene for 5 of the isolates. No difference in the antigenicity of these 17 viruses, as determined by monoclonal antibody binding patterns, was seen. The amino acid sequences obtained via nucleotide sequencing at the cleavage site of the F protein showed that all the isolates tested had two pairs of basic amino acids immediately upstream of the cleavage site, and a phenylalanine residue at the N-terminus of the F1 protein, which is consistent with velogenic NDV. The deduced amino acid sequence obtained at the cleavage site of the F protein from 6 of the isolates was virtually identical regardless of the species, year of isolation, or location. However, the 1975 cormorant isolate showed marked differences from the 1990-1992 isolates in the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of the F gene signal region. These data indicate that the 1990 and 1992 outbreaks were caused by the same epizootic virus and further suggest that the population of NDV in these wild birds may be very stable. The belief that the velogenic NDV circulating in cormorants in 1992 was transmitted into the free-ranging turkey flocks located near the cormorants in North Dakota is supported by the present study in which no distinction could be made between the viruses isolated from turkeys or wild birds.     

Serological and pathological studies of Newcastle disease viruses isolated from caged birds from Southeast Asia

Eleven isolates of Newcastle disease virus (NDV), from caged birds imported from or captured in Southeast Asia in 1979-80, were antigenically divided into five distinct groups. Most of them were distinguishable from more classical NDVs (vaccine B1 strain and Miyadera strain) on the basis of their reactivity to eight monoclonal antibodies against the HN molecule of NDV in hemagglutination-inhibition tests. However, when three representative isolates were evaluated for their biological properties and pathogenicity against 1-day-old chickens, all three were found to be velogenic types that could induce serious symptoms of Newcastle disease and which eventually killed all of the chickens, regardless of the route of infection. There was not any significant correlation between their reactivity patterns with the monoclonal antibodies and their virulence.     

黑龙江部分地区野鸟源新城疫病毒HN、P基因的克隆和序列分析

为了解野鸟源新城疫病毒(NDV)基因变异情况,我们对14株2005年～2006年分离自黑龙江三江自然保护区和哈尔滨周边地区健康野鸟体内的NDV的HN和P基因分别进行RT-PCR扩增,并将其克隆至pMD18-T载体进行核苷酸序列测定。结果显示:14株野鸟源NDVHN基因开放性阅读框架(ORF)均为1716bp,编码571个氨基酸;P基因开放阅读框均为1188bp,编码395个氨基酸。13株野鸟源NDVHN和P基因核苷酸同源性分别为96.4%～99.8%和95.8%～100%,分别与参考毒株HN和P基因相比,同源性为82.3%～98.7%和78.5%～99.4%。1株野鸟源NDV与参考毒株Mutkeswar的HN和P基因高度同源。分析表明:这14株NDV病毒与我国普遍流行的基因Ⅶ型和基因Ⅲ型NDV具有很高的同源性,提示野鸟与家禽新城疫的发生在流行病学和生态学上有着非常密切的关系。