An Outbreak of Newcastle Disease in Free-Living Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus)

The epidemiology of an outbreak of Newcastle disease in a population of approximately 12 000 free-living pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) on the island of Faenø in Denmark in 1996 is described. The mortality during the epizootic was 56 %. The spread of the disease between 7 groups of pheasants could be demonstrated over an observation period of 3 weeks. A total of 70 avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 (APMV-1) isolates was made from the flock. The intra cerebral pathogenicity indices of the 4 isolates tested were in the range 1.78–1.88. By means of immunoperoxidase monolayer assay with murine monoclonal antibodies and sequence analysis of an RT-PCR amplified segment of the F₀ viral protein it was found, that the virus belonged to the highly virulent C1 antigenic group and that the amino acid sequence at the F₀ cleavage site corresponded with the sequences of virulent APMV-1 strains. Based on the epidemiological circumstances it is believed that the virus was transmitted to the pheasants by feral birds.I     

Genomic sequences of low-virulence avian paramyxovirus-1 (Newcastle disease virus) isolates obtained from live-bird markets in North America not related to commonly utilized commercial vaccine strains

Avian paramyxovirus 1 (APMV-1), also referred to as Newcastle disease virus (NDV), variants of low virulence were isolated from chickens, ducks and other unidentified species found in live-bird markets of the northeastern United States. These isolates were characterized as APMV-1 by the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) assay utilizing NDV-specific polyclonal antisera. However, the isolates failed to react with a monoclonal antibody that has specificity for a wide variety of APMV-1 isolates. Although only highly virulent isolates require reporting to international regulatory agencies, the ability to correctly identify APMV-1 types is important for control and regulatory purposes. Protein gel patterns of the purified isolates resembled previously reported APMV-1 and anti-NDV polyclonal sera recognized the viral proteins. For three isolates oligonucleotide primers specific for the nucleoprotein, fusion protein and polymerase genes of NDV were utilized to synthesize cDNA using viral RNA as a template. Approximately 12kb of the genome was subsequently sequenced for the three isolates that included the nucleoprotein, phosphoprotein, matrix protein, fusion (F) protein, hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein genes and a 5' portion of the polymerase gene. The isolates had an F protein cleavage site sequence of ERQER/LVG indicating low-virulence viruses that phylogenetically separated with other unique NDV isolates designated as a lineage 6 genotype. Additionally, a four amino acid insert was detected in the predicted phosphoprotein which complies with the "rule of six" among paramyxoviruses. These APMV-1 genotypes have not been previously reported in North America and further substantiate the heterogeneous genetic nature of these commercially important pathogens found worldwide.     

Avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 isolates from the spinal cord of parrots display a very low virulence

The spinal cord of 32 psittacines suffering from proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) was investigated. In six cases, a virus was isolated which upon electron microscopic examination revealed morphological details typical of members of the Paramyxoviridae. All isolates were subsequently characterized as avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 (APMV-1) by type-specific polyclonal antisera. According to their reactivity with APMV-1 specific monoclonal antibodies, the six isolates shared epitopes within the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase spike protein, distinct from pigeon-type paramyxoviruses and the LaSota vaccine strain. This grouping was further corroborated by properties of the haemagglutinin: all isolates showed a very thermosensitive haemagglutination activity and were rapid eluters. Virulence of the APMV-1 isolates in 1-day-old specific pathogen free (spf) chicken was very low, with intracerebral pathogenicity indices between 0 and 0.1. In embryonated spf chicken eggs, psittacine isolates replicated to high titres (10(8.6)-10(10.7) EID50/ml). However, they exhibited a reduced lethality over an observation time of 7 days (10(6.1)-10(8.3) ELD50/ml). In a haemagglutination inhibition test with parrot sera from birds with no history of APMV-1 vaccination, sera reacted preferentially with two isolates compared with APMV-1 vaccine strains LaSota and B1. The other four isolates exhibited a differentiated reaction pattern with the parrot sera, indicating an antigenic inhomogeneity. This is the first report of isolating very low virulent APMV-1 from neuronal tissue of parrots and implications for a possible role in slow progressing disease will be discussed.     

Virulence of pigeon-origin Newcastle disease virus isolates for domestic chickens.

The virulence of six pigeon-origin isolates of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was evaluated before and after passage in white leghorn chickens. Four isolates were defined as pigeon paramyxovirus-1 (PPMV-1) and two isolates were classified as avian paramyxovirus-1 (APMV-1) with NDV monoclonal antibodies. The four PPMV-1 isolates were passaged four times in chickens, and the APMV-1 isolates were passaged only once. Infected birds were monitored clinically and euthanatized. Tissues were collected for histopathology, in situ hybridization with a NDV matrix gene digoxigenin-labeled riboprobe, and immunohistochemistry with an anti-peptide antibody to the nucleoprotein. Mean death time, intracerebral pathogenicity index, and intravenous pathogenicity index tests performed before and after passage in chickens demonstrated increased virulence of the passaged PPMV-1 isolates and high virulence of the original isolates of APMV-1. Sequence analysis of the fusion protein cleavage site of all six isolates demonstrated a sequence typical of the virulent pathotype. Although the pathotyping results indicated a virulence increase of all passaged PPMV-1 isolates, clinical disease was limited to depression and some nervous signs in only some of the 4-wk-old specific-pathogen-free white leghorns inoculated intraconjunctivally. However, an increased frequency of clinical signs and some mortality occurred in 2 wk olds inoculated intraconjunctivally with passaged virus. Histologically, prominent lesions in heart and brain were observed in birds among all four groups inoculated with the PPMV-1 isolates. The behavior of the two pigeon-origin APMV-1 isolates when inoculated into chickens was characteristic of velogenic viscerotropic NDVs and included necro-hemorrhagic lesions in the gastrointestinal tract.     

Isolation, identification, and comparison of four isolates of avian paramyxovirus serotype 2 in China

Four Yucaipa-like viruses of avian paramyxovirus serotype 2 (APMV-2) were isolated in China from the imported Gouldian Finch (Chloebia gouldiae) and broilers in 1998-2002, and were named F4, F6, F8, and NK, respectively. Examined under electron microscope, the isolates were found to be round in shape and varying in size. The results of the hemagglutination inhibition test and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (using monoclonal antibodies) showed some differences between the isolates and the reference strain Yucaipa. The isolates derived from chickens had a closer relationship to Yucaipa virus than did those of finches. Sequence comparison of the fusion gene and the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase gene showed similar results, although the variations were lesser among APMV-2 viruses in nucleotide and amino acid sequence. By sequence comparison, it was also revealed that at the molecular level the four virus strains belong to APMV-2, and that two of the strains were isolated from the same group of imported Gouldian Finches.     

Similarity of avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 isolates of low virulence for chickens obtained from contaminated poultry vaccines and from poultry flocks

At present Denmark has the status of a 'non-vaccinating' country for Newcastle disease and its poultry population should therefore be free of antibodies to avian paramyxovirus 1 (APMV-1). Three live avian vaccines against infectious bronchitis, avian encephalomyelitis, and chick anaemia which had been found to be contaminated with APMV-1 viruses of low virulence for chickens were examined. The vaccines were produced by the same company and the affected batches had been used in Denmark in 1996/97. Furthermore, APMV-1 isolates of low virulence were obtained from three commercial broiler breeder flocks, one of which had been vaccinated with two of the contaminated vaccines. The flocks belonged to the same hatchery organisation. A comparison of viral F0 gene sequences and typing of virus isolates with a panel of monoclonal antibodies showed that the vaccine and field isolates were identical.     

Characterisation of a type 1 Avian Paramyxovirus belonging to a divergent group

Newcastle disease, induced by a type 1 Avian Paramyxovirus (APMV-1), is one of the most serious poultry diseases. APMV-1 are divided into two classes based on genetic analysis: class II strains have been recovered from wild or domestic birds and include virulent and avirulent isolates whereas class I strains have been mainly isolated from wild birds and are avirulent. Within class I, a new proposed genotype has recently been reported. The only full genome strain of this group is presently characterised from the point of view of codon usage with reference to class I and class II specificities. Class-specific residues were identified on HN and F proteins that are the two major proteins involved in cell attachment and pathogenicity. Comparison of protein patterns and codon usage for this newly identified APMV-1 strain indicates it is similar to class I viruses but contains a few characteristics close to the viruses of class II. Transmission of viruses from this recently identified divergent group from wild birds to domestic birds could have a major impact on the domestic poultry industry.     

Pathogenesis of six pigeon-origin isolates of Newcastle disease virus for domestic chickens

The pathogenesis of six pigeon-origin isolates of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was investigated in chickens. Four isolates were previously defined as the variant pigeon paramyxovirus 1 (PPMV-1), and two isolates were classified as avian paramyxovirus 1 (APMV-1). Birds inoculated with PPMV-1 isolates were euthanatized, and tissue samples were collected at 2, 5, and 10 days postinoculation (DPI). Birds inoculated with APMV-1 isolates died or were euthanatized, and tissue samples were collected at 2, 4, and 5 DPI. Tissues were examined by histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) for the presence of NDV nucleoprotein, and in situ hybridization (ISH) for the presence of viral mRNA for the matrix gene. Spleen sections were stained by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay and by IHC using an anti-active caspase-3 antibody (IHC-Casp) to detect apoptotic cells. Brain sections of PPMV-1-infected birds were examined by IHC to detect T and B lymphocytes and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Histologically, birds inoculated with PPMV-1 isolates had marked lesions in the heart and brain. Presence of viral nucleoprotein and viral mRNA in the affected tissues was confirmed by IHC and ISH, respectively. Numerous reactive astrocytes were observed in brain sections stained for GFAP Among all the isolates, the IHC-Casp demonstrated that apoptosis was very prominent in the ellipsoid-associated cells of the spleen at 2 DPI. Results of the TUNEL assay indicated that apoptotic cells were prominent at 5 DPI and were more randomly distributed. The clinical signs and gross and histopathologic changes observed in the APMV-1-infected birds were characteristic of an extensive infection with highly virulent NDV evident by IHC.     

Some observations on the response of ring-necked pheasants to inoculation with various strains of cell-culture-propagated type II avian adenovirus

The response of ring-necked pheasants to inoculation with three strains of cell-culture-propagated type II avian adenovirus was examined. Marble spleen disease (MSD) virus of pheasants and both avirulent and virulent strains of hemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV) of turkeys all induced typical gross and microscopic splenic lesions of MSD; neither MSD-associated lung lesions nor mortality were noted in inoculated pheasants, regardless of strain of virus used. Pheasants inoculated with a cell-culture-propagated avirulent strain of HEV were properly immunized against challenge with virulent HEV, as indicated by seroconversion and by protection against virus-induced splenic lesions. We conclude that these strains of type II avian adenovirus are comparable in pathogenicity for pheasants and cannot be distinguished. Further, absence of MSD-associated lung lesions and mortality in pheasants maintained under controlled laboratory conditions suggest that other environmental factors are probably involved in induction of such lesions and mortality in field cases of MSD.     

2008-2009年部分地区新城疫病毒分离株的进化分析

本研究旨在从分子水平上掌握中国新城疫病毒的变异情况和新城疫的流行规律,对2008-2009年从中国部分省市养殖场分离的9株新城疫病毒毒株,采用RT-PCR方法扩增其F和HN基因,经克隆和测序,对所得序列进行同源性和遗传进化分析。结果显示,9株分离株有8株为基因Ⅶ型,1株为基因Ⅱ型,F基因开放性阅读框架(ORF)为1662 bp,强毒株同La Sota的核苷酸同源性为83.5%~84.2%。HN基因开放性阅读框架(ORF)为1716或1734 bp,强毒株在538位缺失1个糖基化位点。结果表明,近年流行的ND疫情主要是由基因Ⅶ型NDV引起,F和HN基因的变异可能与频繁的疫苗免疫选择压力有关。     

Rapid pathotyping of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) using fluorogenic probes in a PCR assay

Hybridisation of PCR fragments with fluorogenic probes specific for pathotype allowed an estimation of pathogenicity of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates using a modified TaqMan procedure. Six probes were used, designed to recognise nucleotide sequences in the fusion protein gene sequence corresponding to the precursor protein F0 cleavage site of both virulent and avirulent viruses. Forty-three of the 45 isolates tested, including 18 examined in a blind study were pathotyped successfully and rapidly, with close correlation between cleavage site nucleotide sequences, TaqMan results and intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI) values. One isolate, which could not be pathotyped by nucleotide sequencing, was shown using the TaqMan system to be a mixture of virulent and avirulent NDV. The results of this study suggest that using this modified TaqMan protocol, the likely virulence of most ND isolates can be determined rapidly and reproducibly.     

基于锁核酸探针的双重荧光实时RT-PCR检测方法鉴别新城疫中强毒株与弱毒株

为鉴别新城疫病毒(NDV)强毒株和弱毒株,本研究建立了基于新型锁核酸(LNA)探针的实时荧光RT-PCR检测方法(Duplex LNA rRT-PCR)。该方法针对NDVF基因裂解位点设计了两条新型LNA探针,通过对11株NDV株进行大将军脂duplex LNA rRT-PCR检测方法检测,验证该方法的特异性;通过对副粘病毒I型(APMV-1)和NDV中强毒株(vNDV)不同浓度病毒液进行检测,确定该方法的灵敏度,并与TaqMan实时荧光RT-PCR检测方法进行比较。结果显示本研究所建立的方法对11株NDV检测的特异性为100%(11/11),优于TaqMan实时荧光RT-PCR检测方法(10/11);所建立的duplex LNA rRT-PCR方法检测中强毒株F48E9和弱毒株LaSota的灵敏度分别为10个EID50和0.1个EID50,比美国农业部推荐的TaqMan实时荧光RT-PCR检测方法低10倍。本研究利用新型LNA探针技术,建立了鉴别NDV中强毒株与弱毒株的duplex LNA rRT-PCR检测方法,可以特异性检测NDV并有效区分中强毒株与弱毒株,适合用于鸡场和进出境动物产品中NDV的快速检测。     

新城疫病毒山东强毒株的分离鉴定

从山东流行烈性传染病的鸡群中分离出7株具有血凝活性的病毒，该7株病毒的血凝活性均能被新城疫La Sota株标准阳性血清所抑制，但病毒不能被中和，仍能致死鸡胚。经分离鉴定，分离毒均为新成疫病毒株。通过鸡胚半致死量（ELD50）、最小致死量致鸡胚的平均时间（MDT）、1日龄雏鸡脑内致死指数（ICPI）、6周龄雏鸡静脉致死指数（IVPI）、血凝解脱及血凝素稳定性等试验表明：7株分离病毒均为新城疫病毒强毒性，其毒力与标准强毒株F48E9株相似。     

野鸭源新城疫病毒的分离及其F基因的克隆与序列分析

用RT-PCR方法扩增从野鸭体内分离到的3株新城疫病毒(newcastle disease virus,NDV)(JS-1/06/wd、JS-2/06/wd和JS-3/06/wd)F基因,并对其序列进行了测定和分析。结果表明该分离株的F基因长1 662 bp,编码553个氨基酸;F基因裂解位点的氨基酸序列为112R-R-Q-K/R-R-F117,符合NDV强毒株的特征。这些毒株间核苷酸同源性为99.8%~99.9%,与鹅源NDV QY971株和ZJ1株的核苷酸同源性也高达96.7%~97.5%;氨基酸同源性为96.8%~97.5%;而与我国标准强毒株F48E9及疫苗株LaSota的核苷酸同源性分别为86.9%和84.5%;氨基酸同源性分别为94.5%和87.0%。系统发育树分析结果表明,野鸭源NDV与鹅源NDV的遗传关系较近,同属于基因Ⅶ型。     

Differentiation of infectious bursal disease viruses by restriction enzyme analysis of RT-PCR amplified VP1 gene sequence

In order to differentiate infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) isolates/strains, a quick method of RT-PCR followed by restriction enzyme analysis of VP1 gene sequence is being reported for the first time. A 480 bp fragment, comprising one of the RNA dependent RNA polymerase motifs of VP1 gene sequence of an Indian classical virus, an attenuated vaccine strain, Georgia and two Indian field isolates, genetically similar to reported very virulent strains of IBDV, was amplified by RT-PCR. Restriction enzyme digestion of PCR products with Taq1 enzyme generated distinct profile for field isolates, different from the classical and attenuated viruses, whereas restriction profile with BstNI restriction enzyme was similar in all the viruses, irrespective of the pathotype. Therefore, the present results suggest that Taq1 digestion can be taken up for the differentiation of field isolates from the classical and vaccine strains. The sequence analysis of VPI gene of reported very virulent IBD viruses from Europe and Japan, using 'MapDraw' programme of Lasergene software, revealed similar restriction enzyme profile as in Indian field isolates.