Complete genome sequence of Himetobi P strain Sh.Moghaddam, isolated from the Laodelphax striatellus (small brown planthopper)

Objective

Himetobi P virus (HiPV) is an insect virus belonging to the genus Cripavirus in the Dicistroviridae family within the Picornavirales order. Himetobi P strain. Sh.Moghaddam is the first study reported, was isolated from the Laodelphax striatellus (small brown planthopper) of an internal chicken organ in Iran.

Data description

Genomic analysis showed a nucleotide identity of 93.16% with the family Dicistroviridae, genus Triatovirus, and species Himetobi P. The genome assembly comprised 9227 bp, with a 38.8% GC content. Annotation of the genome showed 2 ORF, a total of 2 genes: including 2 coding sequences (CDs) (total) and 8 Miss features. Thus, the whole-genome sequence presented in this study serves as a platform for detecting new genes that may contribute to the pathogenicity of the Himetobi P strain. Sh.Moghaddam.

Molecular detection of fowl adenovirus 7 from slaughtered broiler chickens in Iran: the first report

Background

Fowl adenoviruses (FAdVs) are responsible for a variety of clinical symptoms, with an increasing significance in the poultry industry throughout the world. Typical diseases caused by FAdVs include inclusion body hepatitis (IBH), hepatitis-hydropericardium syndrome (HHS), gizzard erosion (GE), respiratory disease, and hemorrhage in muscles and organs.

Aims

During 2020, broiler chickens from the north of Iran showed ecchymotic and petechial hemorrhages in thigh and breast muscles at the slaughterhouse. Hemorrhages were observed in 10% to 60% (with an average of 20-30%) of chicks per flock. To find out the etiology of these lesions, the present study was conducted.

Methods

Different environmental factors were investigated, and FAdV, infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), and chicken infectious anemia virus (CIAV) were detected using molecular assays.

Results

Among the viruses tested, FAdV was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sequence analysis clustered the virus into species E, serotype 7.

Conclusion

This is the first report on FAdV-7 existence among poultry in Iran. Effective screening of the chicks at slaughtering age should be performed from the whole country.

Molecular characterization of circulating avian metapneumovirus, subgroup B, in broiler chickens, Iran, 2016-2018

Background

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) infection has significant economic impacts on the poultry industry all around the world.

Aims

The aim of this study is molecular investigations of different types of aMPV in broiler farms in different provinces of Iran from 2016 to 2018.

Methods

Tracheal and oropharyngeal swabs were collected from two hundred broiler chickens with respiratory signs in ten provinces of Iran, including Kurdistan, West Azerbaijan, Semnan, Esfahan, Sistan and Baluchistan, Qazvin, Khuzestan, Fars, Gilan, and Khorasan Razavi from February 2016 to December 2018. After RNA extraction, the presence of aMPV was confirmed using N gene special primers. Then, subtype-specific primers were utilized to differentiate the specific subtype. All positive samples were sequenced.

Results

As a general trend, the percentage of aMPV positive chickens increased gradually over time. All samples were clustered together and placed in the subtype B aMPV group. Although 2 samples from 2016 and 2 samples from 2018 were placed in a separate branch, most of the current study samples of 2016, 2017, and 2018 revealed six segregated sub-branches, and they were placed close to other isolates of 2011 and 2013 from Iran.

Conclusion

The current field study indicated the presence of aMPV in a considerable number of areas in Iran. Thus, the role of this virus in broiler respiratory complex should not be neglected.

The emergence of Q1 genotype of avian infectious bronchitis virus in Iran, 2019: the first report

BACKGROUND

Avian infectious bronchitis (IB) is an infectious viral disease of chickens. The effective protection of chickens against many different infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) variants is not achieved unless the circulating genotypes in the region are identified and the cross-protection of the potential of vaccines in use is assessed.

AIMS

In a monitoring program of IBVs, a new genotype was identified in the north of Iran, 2019. This work was conducted to isolate and characterize this new IBV genotype.

METHODS

Tracheal tissues were collected from chickens showing signs of respiratory involvement. Specimens were homogenized and inoculated to the allantoic fluid of embryonated specific pathogen-free (SPF) eggs. Infectious bronchitis virus was detected using real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The hypervariable region of the IBV S1 gene was amplified for sequencing.

RESULTS

Positive samples were phylogenetically analyzed, and both positive isolates were clustered with Q1 IBV strains.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of the Q1 outbreak in Iran. More investigations are needed to find the role of Q1 IBV in the respiratory disease complex of chickens.

Genotyping of avian infectious bronchitis virus in Afghanistan (2016-2017): the first report

BACKGROUND

Avian infectious bronchitis (IB) is a highly contagious viral disease which affects the poultry industry. The virus exists in a wide variety of genotypes, and phylogenetic analysis has been used to classify infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strains.

AIMS

The object of the study is a molecular characterization of circulating IBV in Afghanistan as a first study.

METHODS

The tracheal tissue specimens from 100 different commercial broiler flocks with respiratory distress in Afghanistan were collected during 2016-2017. After real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR), IBV-positive samples were further characterized. A 390 bp hypervariable spike glycoprotein gene segment was amplified using Nested PCR, sequenced, and analyzed.

RESULTS

The results of real-time RT-PCR showed that 45/100 of the mentioned flocks were IBV positive. Phylogenetic analysis of all positive samples revealed that IBV strains were clustered into two distinct genotypes: LX4 (GI-19) (9/45) and IS-1494 like (GI-23) (34/45). Also, 2 of the 45 samples remained uncharacterized.

CONCLUSION

It is the first study focusing on the molecular epidemiology of IBV in Afghanistan, extending our understanding of IB in the region. These results showed the high rate of IB infection in Afghanistan broiler farms and confirm the continuing monitoring of IBVs to modify the vaccination program.

Complete genome analysis of Iranian IS-1494 like avian infectious bronchitis virus

The nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strain IS-1494 like (variant-2; GI-23) was first isolated in the Middle East (1998). Despite intensive vaccinations, IS-1494 like IBVs are still circulating in Iran (the dominant genotype) and spread to other countries. Here, the full-length genome of this Iranian IS-1494 like IBV was (Mahed) determined to understand its evolutionary relationships. The genome consists of 27,652 nucleotides, with mutations in most of the structural genes. Thirteen open reading frames (ORFs) were predicted in the Mahed isolate (5' UTR-1a-1b-S-3a-3b-E-M-4b-4c-5a-5b-N-6b-3' UTR). ORFs 4b, 4c, and 6b, which has rarely been reported, were present in the Mahed genome. According to phylogenetic analysis of the full-length genome, 1a, S2, M, E, N protein, Mahed isolate clustered with the QX type strain. Based on the partial 1b, S1, Mahed clustered with the Q1 strain. The full-length genome of Mahed isolate shared the highest sequence homology with Gray and JMK (90.06-90.07%) and was least related to the Vic-s (86.21%). These data show that evolutionary variation because of recombination in IBV plays a major role in the adaptation and origin of IBV leading to new genetic and types of the virus strain.

The effect of Allium sativum (Garlic) extract on infectious bronchitis virus in specific pathogen free embryonic egg

OBJECTIVE

Garlic is a plant has been used as a flavor, and anti-microbial and anti-diarrheal agent. Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a coronavirus. The available vaccines against IBV cannot cover new variants. This study evaluated the inhibitory effects of garlic extract on IBV.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The constituents of garlic extract were detected by gas chromatography. This study was done in four groups of embryonic SPF eggs; first group was used for virus titration; second group received the mixture of different virus titration and constant amount of garlic extract; third group received 10(-3) titration of virus and after 8 hr received garlic extract and the last group received different dilutions of garlic extract.

RESULTS

Based on our results, in the second group, IBV vaccine strain (4/91) at all titration and M41 in 10(-2) and 10(-3) titration and in the third group both variants of virus the embryonic Index (EI) was significantly increased.

CONCLUSION

The garlic extract had inhibitory effects on IBV in the chickens embryo.