Failure to demonstrate viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease in psittacine birds in the Republic of the Philippines

Birds on the islands of Luzon, Mindanao, and Palawan in the Republic of the Philippines were surveyed for viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease (VVND). Virus isolation was attempted on 728 cloacal samples from native and exotic psittacine birds, non-psittacine birds, and domestic chickens and ducks. A VVND virus isolate was obtained from a single domestic chicken that had exhibited ocular discharge and diarrhea 3 days before sampling. All other birds were negative for VVND.     

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.     

Epizootiology of Newcastle disease in waterfowl.

Antibodies to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) as measured by hemagglutination-inhibition and virus-neutralization tests were detected in 40/236 Canada geese captured while in their southward migration or in their wintering grounds. Antibodies were also found in 37/267 wild ducks and in 20/31 domestic geese. Adult geese were readily infected by several routes. Inapparent disease usually resulted, and only 1/13 cases were fatal. Goose embryos responded differently to inoculation with selected NDV strains than did chicken embryos of comparative developmental stages. Some goslings that hatched from inoculated embryos died and were found to have virus, whereas others survived and developed active antibodies. Four strains of virus isolated from migratory ducks of the Pacific flyway were characterized. All 4 strains were lentogenic but differed from lentogenic strains prevalent in chickens by being thermostable. It is proposed that wild waterfowl neither receive their ND infection from domestic poultry nor pass their disease to poultry. The virus reservoir probably exists in nature.     

Experimental pathogenesis for chickens, turkeys, and pigeons of exotic Newcastle disease virus from an outbreak in California during 2002-2003

Exotic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolated from chickens during the 2002-2003 California outbreak (CA exotic Newcastle disease [END] virus) was inoculated into 4-week-old specific-pathogen-free (SPF) White Leghorn chickens, 3-week-old SPF Beltsville White turkeys, 6-week-old commercial Broad Breasted White turkeys, and 10- to 20-week-old racing pigeons, and the clinicopathologic features of disease were compared. Birds were monitored clinically and euthanized sequentially with collection of tissues. Tissues were examined by histopathology, by immunohistochemistry to detect viral nucleoprotein, and by in situ hybridization to detect viral mRNA. Clinically, infected chickens and SPF turkeys showed severe depression, and all died or were euthanized because of severe clinical signs by day 5 postinoculation. In these birds, histologic lesions were widespread and virus was detected in multiple organs. All infected commercial turkeys showed mild depression, and incoordination was observed in some birds. Histologic lesions were mild, and viral distribution was limited. In pigeons, only 1 bird showed overt clinical disease, and histologic lesions and viral distribution were present in limited organs. Consequently, susceptibility to highly virulent NDV was shown to vary among chickens, SPF turkeys, commercial turkeys, and pigeons. Additionally, we have evidence of CA END virus subclinical infections that suggest pigeons could be subclinical carriers of other virulent NDV.     

Methods of spread of velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease virus in the southern Californian epidemic of 1971-1973.

Data collected during the velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease (VVND) epidemic that occurred in southern California from 1971 to 1973 were analyzed to determine the methods of spread of the disease. Spread between chicken flocks was extensive and due mainly to the movement of live birds and mechanical transport of virus by man, especially by vaccination and poultry service crews. Spread to exotic birds was from contact with infected imported stock. Spread to other species was most probably through contact with infected chickens. Infection persisted in commercial chicken flocks because of intensive vaccination programs, heavy traffic and contact between layer operations, and the maintenance of multi-age flocks. These foci of infection probably led to spread of the disease to areas from which VVND had been eradicated several months before. There was no evidence of significant wind-borne spread of virus between flocks.     

华东地区健康水禽携带新城疫病毒情况调查

近年来,新城疫逐渐成为了一种严重的家养水禽疾病。尽管如此,目前对于我国水禽新城疫的流行和分布情况依然知之甚少。本研究采集了2011-2012年中国华东6省1市的部分活禽市场和养殖场表观健康家鸭和家鹅泄殖腔棉拭样品,进行新城疫病毒的分离和毒力检测工作。通过测定分离株F基因高变区nt47-420,对其进行遗传进化分析。结果显示,在1200份样品中,检测到阳性样品23份,分离率为1．92％,表明眼观健康家鸭和家鹅中携带新城疫病毒。对比寒冷的春冬两季和炎热的夏季,新城疫病毒的分离率存在明显的差别。在中国家鸭和鹅中流行的新城疫毒株依然对温度敏感,高温天气不利于新城疫疫情蔓延。对分离株的鸡胚平均死亡时间和脑内接种指数进行了测定。参考76株GenBank中已发表并鉴定基因型毒株的F基因高变区nt47～420,对23株家养水禽分离株进行了遗传进化分析,结果发现分离株与流行的强毒株和疫苗株遗传距离较远。其中,13株与ClassII基因Ib亚型遗传距离最近;3株属于ClassI基因2型;7株与ClassI基因3b亚型遗传距离最近。     

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.     

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。     

Genetic relationship of H3 subtype avian influenza viruses isolated from domestic ducks and wild birds in Korea and their pathogenic potential in chickens and ducks

The H3 subtype avian influenza virus (AIV) is one of the most frequently isolated subtypes in domestic ducks, live poultry markets, and wild birds in Korea. In 2002-2009, a total of 45 H3 subtype AIVs were isolated from the feces of clinically normal domestic ducks (n=28) and wild birds (n=17). The most prevalent subtypes in domestic ducks were H3N2 (35.7%), H3N6 (35.7%), H3N8 (25.0%), and H3N1 (3.6%, novel subtype in domestic duck in Korea). In contrast, H3N8 (70.6%) is the most prevalent subtype in wild birds in Korea. In the phylogenetic analysis, HA genes of the Korean H3 AIVs were divided into 3 groups (Korean duck, wild bird 1, and wild bird 2) and all viruses of duck origin except one were clustered in a single group. However, other genes showed extensive diversity and at least 17 genotypes were circulating in domestic ducks in Korea. When the analysis expanded to viruses of wild bird origin, the genetic diversity of Korean H3 AIVs became more complicated. Extensive reassortments may have occurred in H3 subtype influenza viruses in Korea. When we inoculated chickens and ducks with six selected viruses, some of the viruses replicated efficiently without pre-adaptation and shed a significant amount of viruses through oropharyngeal and cloacal routes. This raised concerns that H3 subtype AIV could be a new subtype in chickens in Korea. Continuous surveillance is needed to prepare the advent of a novel subtype AIV in Korea.     

Velogenic Newcastle Disease Virus in Captive Wild Birds

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was isolated from the faeces of seven different species of clinically healthy captive wild birds. All seven NDV isolates were characterized as velogenic, based on the mean death time in embryonated hens' eggs and the intracerebral pathogenicity index in day-old chicks. Three of the isolates were placed in group C₁ based on the reactions with monoclonal antibodies. The role of captive wild birds in the epidemiology of Newcastle disease is briefly discussed.     

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.     

Molecular epidemiological investigation of Newcastle disease virus from domestic ducks in Korea

To expand the epidemiological understanding of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) found in domestic ducks in Korea, 14 NDV isolates from apparently healthy domestic ducks were biologically and genetically characterized. Thirteen and 1 isolates of NDV were categorized into lentogenic and velogenic viruses, respectively, based on in vivo pathogenicity tests. Twelve lentogenic viruses showed HA activity to horse RBCs, while 1 lentogenic virus and the velogenic virus were negative. Lentogenic viruses (n=13) had sequence motifs of (112)ERQERL(117) (n=1) or (112)GRQGRL(117) (n=12) at the F0 cleavage site, while the velogenic virus (n=1) had a sequence motif of (112)RRQKRF(117) at the same site. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that at least three distinct genotypes may exist in domestic ducks in Korea; one class I genotype (genotype 2), and two class II (genotypes I and VII) genotypes. The class I virus was most closely related to strains of genotype 2 which were isolated in birds from the USA, Germany and Denmark. Twelve lentogenic class II viruses were grouped together in genotype I, and were then divided into at least three clusters, namely Aomori-like, Ulster2C-like, and V4-like. The velogenic class II virus was assigned to genotype VII which represents viruses responsible for recent epidemics in many Asian countries including Korea. The epidemiological importance of domestic duck isolates of NDV in Korea is discussed.     

Epizootiologic aspects of viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease in six pet bird species

Pet birds of 6 species were exposed to a psittacine isolate to viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease (VVND) virus to evaluate the impact of VVND in those species. Species examined were the budgerigar, yellow-headed Amazon parrot, canary, halfmoon conure, lesser hill mynah, and blackheaded nun. Five of the 6 species were highly susceptible to infection with VVND virus. Canaries were relatively refractory to infection with the virus. Contact birds of the same species developed infections almost as rapidly as did the birds directly exposed to nebulized VVND virus. Mortality was most marked for the conures. Less than half of the parrots exposed to nebulized virus died of VVND. Of the directly exposed budgerigars, mynahs, and nuns, 16% to 22% died during an observation period of postexposure days 0 through 28.     

INTERACTION BETWEEN INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE VIRUS AND NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS IN CHICKENS

The Australian strain of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), 002/73, affected the response of chickens to Newcastle disease virus (NDV). The titre of serum antibodies to NDV in chickens infected with IBDV was significantly lower than that of birds infected with NDV alone. It also appeared that IBDV affected NDV excretion from chickens as NDV was more frequently isolated from chickens infected with IBDV, IBDV infection did not alter the pathogenicity of NDV in chickens. This Australian strain of IBDV therefore appeared to be immunodepressive in one-day-old chickens.     

鸭副粘病毒强毒株的分离和鉴定

采用鸡胚接种法从安徽凤阳某患病肉鸭群中分离到一株病毒。该素株对鸡红细胞具有凝集性，并可被康复鸭鸭血清和NDV阳性抗血清所抑制，而不能被禽流感标准阳性血清抑制，结合血清中和鸡胚接种试验，病毒回归试验和免疫防治效果的研究结果，确认为鸭副粘病毒。参照国际上规定的新城疫病毒毒力判定的标准及其方法，测定该分离株的鸡胚最小致死量平均死亡时间（MDT），1日龄鸡及脑内接种致病指数（ICPI）和6周龄鸡静脉内接种致病指数（IVPI）分别为48.9h,1.80和2．45。表明该鸭副粘病天线离株具有新城疫病毒（NDV）速发型相类似的毒力，属强毒力毒株，并定名为WF00D株。     

鹅源新城疫病毒云南流行株免疫交叉保护试验

用分离的鹅新城疫病毒KM2007株尿囊液制成油乳剂灭活苗,和NDV油乳剂灭活苗分别接种10日龄未免疫雏鸡和未免疫雏鹅,并设非免疫对照组。免疫后21 d,试验组和对照组每只鸡和鹅分别注射0.1 mL鹅新城疫病毒KM2007株尿囊液10-1稀释液,结果对照组鹅和鸡分别出现典型的鹅新城疫和鸡新城疫的症状和病理变化,而试验组鹅和鸡全部健活。结果表明,鹅新城疫病毒KM2007株油乳剂灭活苗及NDV油乳剂灭活苗均可保护鹅和鸡免受鹅新城疫病毒野毒的攻击。     

A survey of gastro-intestinal parasitic infection in domestic and wild birds in Chittagong and Greater Sylhet,Bangladesh

A survey of gastrointestinal parasitic infection as determined by faecal examination was conducted among domestic and wild birds in Bangladesh. Birds were sampled from households, wet markets and wetlands in Chittagong and Greater Sylhet districts during April 2012 to February 2013. Mist nets were used to catch resident wild and migratory birds. The overall prevalence of parasitic infection ranged among locations from 25 to 55% in indigenous domestic ducks (live bird samples = 304), 20% in resident wild birds (environmental faecal samples = 40) and 40% in migratory birds (live bird samples = 35). The prevalence of parasitic infection was significantly higher in indigenous domestic ducks collected during summer (39%) than winter (22%) (p = 0.04). In domestic indigenous ducks and Muscovy ducks, both single and multiple types of parasitic infections were found. However, other domestic birds and wild birds often had a single type of parasitic infection. Ascaridia spp. with an average egg load of 50–900, was commonly detected in faecal samples of domestic and wild birds in this study. Other identified parasites were Capillaria spp. and Heterakis spp. both in domestic and wild birds. Improvement of biosecurity measures for household duck farms through educating and motivating household farmers could help mitigate the effects of parasitic infection on production.