Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of infectious bursal disease viruses isolated from chicken in South China in 2011

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is a double-stranded RNA virus that causes immunosuppressive disease in young chickens. Thousands of cases of IBDV infection are reported each year in South China, and these infections can result in considerable economic losses to the poultry industry. To monitor variations of the virus during the outbreaks, 30 IBDVs were identified from vaccinated chicken flocks from nine provinces in South China in 2011. VP2 fragments from different virus strains were sequenced and analyzed by comparison with the published sequences of IBDV strains from China and around the world. Phylogenetic analysis of hypervariable regions of the VP2 (vVP2) gene showed that 29 of the isolates were very virulent (vv) IBDVs, and were closely related to vvIBDV strains from Europe and Asia. Alignment analysis of the deduced amino acid (aa) sequences of vVP2 showed the 29 vv isolates had high uniformity, indicated low variability and slow evolution of the virus. The non-vvIBDV isolate JX2-11 was associated with higher than expected mortality, and had high deduced aa sequence similarity (99.2 %) with the attenuated vaccine strain B87 (BJ). The present study has demonstrated the continued circulation of IBDV strains in South China, and emphasizes the importance of reinforcing IBDV surveillance.     

Confirmation of the existence of two distinct genetic groups of infectious bursal disease virus in Australia

OBJECTIVE: To characterise infectious bursal disease viruses (IBDVs) prevalent at major commercial sites throughout Australia and to compare the nucleic acid sequences of local strains of IBDV with those of characterised overseas strains. DESIGN: Samples of bursae were collected from 20 broiler farms that belonged to different poultry companies in New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (Qld), Victoria (Vic), Westem (WA) and South Australia (SA). METHOD: Bursae were collected from broilers between 24 and 35 days of age. Bursal tissue was homogenised and tested for the presence of IBDV antigen using four monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) which detect antigenic variation in IBDV strains. The nucleotide sequences of the hypervariable region (HVR) within the VP2 gene of IBDVs was determined and the deduced amino acid sequences compared with three vaccine strains and six previously characterised Australian IBDV strains. The deduced amino acid sequences were also compared with the published amino acid sequences of overseas strains. The phylogenetic relationships between Australian strains and overseas strains were then determined. RESULTS: IBDV was detected in birds from 14 out of 20 farms sampled. Typing with four Mabs showed that all viruses from Vic (6) and SA (10) were antigenic variants, whereas all viruses from NSW (29), Qld (4) and WA (5) were classical-like strains. Nucleotide sequencing of one sample from each of the 14 farms on which IBDV was detected confirmed results obtained with Mabs. The amino acid sequences of all Australian viruses differed from the amino acid sequences of foreign IBDV strains. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Australian IBDV viruses belonged to two distinct genetic groups. Very virulent (vv) IBDV strains belonged to a third genetic group, and overseas classical and variant strains belonged to a fourth genetic group. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirmed previous findings that there are two groups of IBDV strains circulating in commercial broilers in Australia. The majority are classical-like strains that are antigenically and genetically similar to vaccine strains 002/73 and V877. These classical strains were prevalent in broilers in three states, NSW, Qld and WA. The second group of strains are antigenic variants that were only found in broilers in two states, Vic and SA. All Australian IBDVs characterised to date are genetically distinct and can be differentiated from all other overseas strains. This enables identification of incursion of any exotic strain into Australian poultry, be it classical, US variant or wIBDV strains.     

Molecular characterization of two Bangladeshi infectious bursal disease virus isolates using the hypervariable sequence of VP2 as a genetic marker

Two Bangladeshi infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) isolates collected in 2007, termed GB1 and GB3, were subjected to comparative sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Sequence analysis of a 474-bp hypervariable region in the VP2 gene revealed that among four major amino acid substitutions observed in the strains, two were unique to GB1 and GB3 (Ser217Leu and Ala270Thr) while one substitution was only found in GB1 (Asn299Ser). Among IBDVs from Bangladesh including GB1 and GB3, the rate of identity and homology was around 97~99%. The amino acid sequences of GB1 and GB3 differ from those of previous Bangladeshi IBDV isolates and contain amino acid substitutions Pro222Ala and Asn299Ser (in GB3 only). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that GB1 and GB3 are grouped with other very virulent IBDVs of European and American origin in contrast to two previously isolated Bangladeshi IBDV strains (GenBank accession Nos. {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AF362776","term_id":"14582985","term_text":"AF362776"}}AF362776 and {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AF260317","term_id":"13957666","term_text":"AF260317"}}AF260317), which belong to the Asian group. It was concluded that GB1 and GB3 belong to a very virulent group of IBDVs. However, amino acid sequences of GB1 and GB3 differ from those of the other Bangladeshi IBDVs by one or two amino acids encoded in the hypervariable region of the VP2 gene.     

Differentiation of infectious bursal disease viruses isolated in Croatia

Infectious bursal disease viruses (IBDVs) in 26 IBDV-positive bursa samples collected in Croatia during the period 1996-2000 and in two commercially available vaccines were differentiated by the presence or absence of the CfoI, SacI, SspI, StuI, and TaqI restriction sites in the 422-bp fragment of segment A of the VP2 gene (nt 732-1153). The fragments from 14 (54%) field isolates were TaqI+ StuI+ SspI+ and SacI- CfoI-, indicating their very virulent (vv) character. The presence of CfoI restriction site in 10 (38%) field isolates is uncommon for vvIBDV strains. It was detected in only the 88180 vvIBDV strain. Nevertheless, these isolates can be classified as vv strains according to TaqI+ StuI+ SspI+ SacI- restrictions. Two SacI+ StuI+ CfoI+ TaqI- SspI- field isolates (8%) could be classified as non-vvIBDVs. The StuI+ restriction is common to vvIBDV strains. However, the StuI recognition sequence is present in the F52/70 classic European and 002-73 attenuated strains as well. The SacI+ CfoI+ StuI- SspI- restrictions and the lack of the TaqI restriction at nt position 832 show that the IBDV in GUMBOKAL IM-SPF vaccine corresponds to the attenuated and/or vaccine strains. The TaqI restriction at nt position 875 suggests that the IBDV in GUMBOKAL SPF vaccine could belong to the mild strains.     

Sequence analysis of both genome segments of three Croatian infectious bursal disease field viruses

In order to determine the mutations responsible for virulence, three Croatian field infectious bursal disease viruses (IBDV), designated Cro-Ig/02, Cro-Po/00, and Cro-Pa/98 were characterized. Coding regions of both genomic segments were sequenced, and the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences were compared with previously reported full-length sequenced IBDV strains. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of polyprotein and VP1, was performed. Eight characteristic amino acid residues, that were common to very virulent (vv) IBDV, were detected on polyprotein: 222A, 256I, 294I, 451L, 685N, 715S, 751D, and 1005A. All eight were found in Cro-Ig/02 and Cro-Po/00. C-Pa/98 had all the characteristics of an attenuated strain, except for glutamine on residue 253, which is common for vv, classical virulent, and variant strains. Between less virulent and vvIBDV, three substitutions were found on VP5: 49 G --> R, 79 --> F, and 137 R --> W. In VP1, there were nine characteristic amino acid residues common to vvwIBDV: 146D, 147N, 242E, 390M, 393D, 511S, 562P, 687P, and 695R. All nine residues were found in A-Ig/02, and eight were found in B-Po/00, which had isoleucine on residue 390. Based on our analyses, isolates Cro-Ig/02 and Cro-Po/00 were classified with vv IBDV strains. C-Pa/98 shared all characteristic amino acid residues with attenuated and classical virulence strains, so it was classified with those.     

Chicken B lymphoma DT40 cells as a useful tool for in vitro analysis of pathogenic infectious bursal disease virus

Susceptibility of DT40 cells to pathogenic field strains of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) including very virulent and classical virulent strains were studied. After the first and second passage of the virus in DT40 cells, IBDV-specific antigen was readily detected in DT40 cells inoculated with the pathogenic field strain infected bursal homogenates. Nucleotide sequence analysis in the VP2 hypervariable domain, which is critical for the virulence of IBDV, revealed no common amino acid substitutions among the pathogenic IBDVs in accordance with the propagation in DT40 cells. These results indicate that DT40 cells are a useful tool for rapid isolation of pathogenic field strains and successive in vitro analysis of IBDV.     

Viral genotyping of infectious bursal disease viruses isolated from the 2002 acute outbreak in Spain and comparison with previous isolates

An infectious bursal disease (IBD) outbreak occurred in the east region of Spain in the spring of 2002 and rapidly spread thorough the whole country, although proper vaccination programs were applied. In this report, 33 infectious bursal disease viruses (IBDVs) isolated from this outbreak were characterized by nucleotide sequencing of the VP2 gene hypervariable region and were compared with reference IBD strains and the 1990s Spanish IBDVs in order to determine possible emergence of IBDV isolates with modified antigenic or virulent properties. Moreover, histopathologic and immunohistochemical studies of those cases where bursal tissues were available were carried out. Of the 33 isolates, 23 were identified as very virulent IBDVs (vvIBDVs), whereas the other 10 isolates were classified as attenuated or intermediate virulence classical strains and could possibly be IBDV live vaccine strains used in the immunization of these chickens. Results of this study indicate that wIBDV isolates from the 2002 Spanish outbreak are closely related with those from the 1990s outbreak. However, acute IBD cases have not been reported in Spain during these 10 yr. Genetic, management, and environmental factors likely related with IBD reemergence in Spain are discussed. Moreover, our results indicate that good correlation exists between the IBDV subtype present in the field and the degree of lesions in bursa tissue, as well as the immunohistochemistry staining.