Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura City, 35516, Egypt.
Veterinary Science Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, P.O. Box 7946, Sharjah City, UAE.
BMC Vet Res. 2024 May 21;20(1):216. doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-04029-4.
In this study, we investigated the prevalence of respiratory viruses in four Hybrid Converter Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) farms in Egypt. The infected birds displayed severe respiratory signs, accompanied by high mortality rates, suggesting viral infections. Five representative samples from each farm were pooled and tested for H5 & H9 subtypes of avian influenza viruses (AIVs), Avian Orthoavulavirus-1 (AOAV-1), and turkey rhinotracheitis (TRT) using real-time RT-PCR and conventional RT-PCR. Representative tissue samples from positive cases were subjected to histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC).
The PCR techniques confirmed the presence of AOAV-1 and H5 AIV genes, while none of the tested samples were positive for H9 or TRT. Microscopic examination of tissue samples revealed congestion and hemorrhage in the lungs, liver, and intestines with leukocytic infiltration. IHC revealed viral antigens in the lungs, liver, and intestines. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that H5 HA belonged to 2.3.4.4b H5 sublineage and AOAV-1 belonged to VII 1.1 genotype.
The study highlights the need for proper monitoring of hybrid converter breeds for viral diseases, and the importance of vaccination programs to prevent unnecessary losses. To our knowledge, this is the first study that reports the isolation of AOAV-1 and H5Nx viruses from Hybrid Converter Turkeys in Egypt.
本研究调查了埃及四家 Hybrid Converter Turkey(火鸡)养殖场中呼吸道病毒的流行情况。受感染的禽类表现出严重的呼吸道症状,并伴有高死亡率,提示存在病毒感染。从每个农场采集 5 个具有代表性的样本,进行 H5 和 H9 亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)、禽正黏病毒-1(AOAV-1)和火鸡鼻气管炎(TRT)的实时 RT-PCR 和常规 RT-PCR 检测。对阳性病例的代表性组织样本进行组织病理学和免疫组织化学(IHC)检测。
PCR 技术证实了 AOAV-1 和 H5 AIV 基因的存在,而没有一个测试样本对 H9 或 TRT 呈阳性。组织样本的显微镜检查显示肺部、肝脏和肠道充血和出血,并有白细胞浸润。IHC 显示肺部、肝脏和肠道存在病毒抗原。系统进化分析显示 H5 HA 属于 2.3.4.4b H5 亚谱系,AOAV-1 属于 VII 1.1 基因型。
该研究强调了对杂交转换品种进行病毒疾病监测的必要性,以及制定疫苗接种计划以防止不必要损失的重要性。据我们所知,这是首次报道从埃及的 Hybrid Converter Turkey 中分离出 AOAV-1 和 H5Nx 病毒的研究。