Elshwihdi Marwa H A, Kammon Abdulwahab M, Asheg Abdulatif A
Department of Poultry and Fish Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya.
National Research Center for Tropical and Transboundary Diseases, Alzintan, Libya.
Open Vet J. 2025 May;15(5):2127-2137. doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i5.31. Epub 2025 May 31.
Poxvirus infections in poultry, particularly fowl poxviruses (FPV), pose significant challenges to the global poultry industry. A notable outbreak of cutaneous fowl (FP) and pigeon pox in Libya has primarily affected backyard chickens, pigeons, and some commercial layers, marking the region's first official record of these viruses.
This study aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize FP and pigeon pox viruses (PPVs) associated with the outbreak.
Histopathological examinations were conducted alongside clinical observations of lesions in affected chickens and pigeons. Virus isolation was performed using embryonated chicken eggs, and molecular diagnosis was achieved via polymerase chain reaction targeting the P4b core protein gene. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were also performed.
Characteristic lesions, such as wart-like growths and scabs, were observed in backyard chickens and pigeons. Histopathological analyses confirmed the presence of eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. Molecular analysis revealed high genetic similarity among the four FPV isolates, which were 100% identical to selected isolates from Iraq, Iran, and Brazil. The PPV isolates also showed significant genetic homogeneity, with 100% identity to strains from Egypt and India and high similarities to other isolates.
Our findings underscore the need for further investigation into the epidemiology and transmission dynamics of fowlpox and PPVs. Future research should focus on the genetic diversity of PPVs and their implications for pathogenicity and host specificity. Ongoing global surveillance and genetic analysis of avian viruses are crucial for understanding their impact on poultry populations and developing effective disease management strategies.
家禽中的痘病毒感染，尤其是禽痘病毒（FPV），给全球家禽业带来了重大挑战。利比亚发生的一起显著的皮肤型禽痘（FP）和鸽痘疫情主要影响了后院鸡、鸽子以及一些商品蛋鸡，这是该地区首次有这些病毒的官方记录。
本研究旨在分离、鉴定和表征与此次疫情相关的FP和鸽痘病毒（PPV）。
对受影响的鸡和鸽子的病变进行临床观察的同时进行组织病理学检查。使用鸡胚进行病毒分离，并通过针对P4b核心蛋白基因的聚合酶链反应进行分子诊断。还进行了测序和系统发育分析。
在后院鸡和鸽子中观察到了特征性病变，如疣状生长物和结痂。组织病理学分析证实存在嗜酸性胞质内包涵体。分子分析显示，四种FPV分离株之间具有高度的遗传相似性，与来自伊拉克、伊朗和巴西的选定分离株100%相同。PPV分离株也显示出显著的遗传同质性，与来自埃及和印度的菌株100%相同，并且与其他分离株高度相似。
我们的研究结果强调需要进一步调查禽痘和PPV的流行病学和传播动态。未来的研究应关注PPV的遗传多样性及其对致病性和宿主特异性的影响。持续的全球禽病毒监测和遗传分析对于了解它们对家禽种群的影响以及制定有效的疾病管理策略至关重要。
