Detection and molecular characterization of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) in chicken with respiratory signs in Brazil during 2015 and 2016

Avian infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is a respiratory disease that causes severe economic losses in the poultry industry, mainly due to high morbidity and mortality and reduced egg production. Molecular characterization was performed on samples collected from flocks in the Brazilian States of São Paulo, Pernambuco, and Minas Gerais during 2015 and 2016 that presented clinical signs of respiratory disease. End-point PCR was used for viral detection, and DNA sequencing was used for differentiation of vaccine and field strains. Molecular analysis based on the infected cell protein (ICP4) gene separated four of the nine samples together with previous Brazilian isolates (São Paulo and Minas Gerais), one sample was grouped on the same branch as Minas Gerais strains (along with another related sample), one sample was separately branched but still related to the tissue culture origin (TCO) vaccine strain, and two samples were grouped on the same branch as the TCO vaccine strain. Molecular analysis of the thymidine kinase (TK) gene showed the existence of strains of both high and low virulence. The characterization of two fragments of the ICP4 gene and a fragment of the TK gene in this study suggested that the virus circulating in Guatapará, as well as those in Barretos and Itanhandu, that is causing respiratory problems in birds is a highly virulent field strain. The clinical signs point to a TCO vaccine strain that most likely underwent some reversal event and is a latent reactivated infection.

Molecular Characterization and Pathogenicity of Chicken Parvovirus (ChPV) in Specific Pathogen-Free Chicks Infected Experimentally

Chicken parvovirus (ChPV) is an agent frequently associated with runting stunting syndrome (RSS). This syndrome has been reported in association with ChPV in many countries, including Brazil; however, studies characterizing the virus on a molecular level are scarce, and ChPV pathogenicity in day-old chicks remains unclear. The aim of the present work was to establish the molecular characteristics of ChPV, determine the pathogenicity of ChPV in SPF chicks and detect and quantify ChPV by qPCR in several tissues and chicks of different ages. The experimental challenge was performed at one day of age, and daily and weekly observations were performed and five birds from each experimental group (mock and infected birds) were euthanized to perform the different analysis. ChPV genome copies were detected and quantified by qPCR in gut, spleen, thymus, kidney, pancreas, proventriculus and bursa. Clinically, the infected group presented with diarrhea 24 h post-infection, which persisted until 42 days of age. The small intestine was distended, and its contents were aqueous and foamy. Enteritis and dilated crypts with cyst shapes were observed in intestinal segments. Acute pancreatitis associated with lymphocytic nodules, infiltrating lymphocytes and plasma cells between the pancreatic acinus was observed. Koch’s postulate was demonstrated and the genetic characterization of the VP1 gene showed that the Brazilian ChPV isolate belongs to the ChPV II group.

Development of a Sensitive Real-Time Fast-qPCR Based on SYBR® Green for Detection and Quantification of Chicken Parvovirus (ChPV)

Many viruses have been associated with runting and stunting syndrome (RSS). These viral infections mainly affect young chickens, causing apathy, depression, ruffled feathers, cloacal pasting, and diarrhea. Chicken Parvovirus (ChPV) is such an infection and has been detected in chickens showing signs of enteric diseases worldwide. Therefore, the present study aims to develop a sensitive real-time fast-qPCR assay based on SYBR^® Green for detection and quantification of ChPV. A 561-bp non-structural (NS) gene was amplified and cloned, and a pair of primers was designed based on conserved nucleotide sequences on the NS gene of ChPV, the intercalating DNA reagent SYBR^® Green was employed, and the Fast mode of a thermocycler was used. The assay detects 10⁹ to 10¹ copies of the genome (CG). The limit of detection (LoD) was estimated to five CG, and the limit of quantification (LoQ) was estimated at ten CG. The standard curve efficiency was 101.94%, and the melting curve showed a unique clean peak and a melting temperature of 79.3 °C. The assay was specific to amplify the ChPV NS gene, and no amplification was shown from other viral genomes or in the negative controls. A total of 141 samples were tested using the assay, of which 139 samples were found positive. The highest CG value of ChPV was 5.7 × 10⁶ CG/uL of DNA without apparent clinical signs of enteric disturbance, and 4.6 × 10⁶ CG/uL DNA were detected in chickens with RSS.