First phylogenetic analysis of Avipoxvirus (APV) in Brazil

Abstract

RESUMO.-[Primeira análise filogenética de Avipoxvirus (APV) no Brasil.] Este trabalho representa a primeira aná-lise filogenética de Poxvirus aviário detectado em perus no Brasil. Os distúrbios clínicos relacionados com bouba aviá-ria aqui descritos ocorreram em um sistema de alojamento de perus. As aves apresentaram lesões características de varíola observadas no pescoço, pálpebras e bico das aves. Quatro perus com sinais característicos foram escolhidos aleatoriamente, sacrificados e submetidos à autópsia. This study represents the first phylogenetic analysis of avian poxvirus recovered from turkeys in Brazil. The clinical disorders related to fowlpox herein described occurred in a turkey housing system. The birds displaying characteristic pox lesions which were observed on the neck, eyelids and beak of the turkeys. Four affected turkeys were randomly chosen, euthanized and necropsied. Tissues samples were submitted for histopathological analysis and total DNA was further extracted, amplified by conventional PCR, sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. Avian poxviruses specific PCR was performed based on P4b core protein gene sequence. The histological analysis revealed dermal inflammatory process, granulation tissue, hyperplasia of epithelial cells and inclusion bodies. The P4b gene was detected in all samples. Sequencing revealed a 100% nucleotide and amino acid sequence identity among the samples, and the sequences were deposited in GenBank ® . The four Avian poxviruses fragments sequenced in this study clustered along the A1 clade of avipoxviruses, and were classified as Avipoxvirus (APV). Additional studies, such as virus isolation, PCR and sequencing includinga large number of specimens from the Brazilian turkey production must be conducted due to the hazardous risk that poxvirus infections may cause to the Brazilian poultry production scenario, given that Brazil's turkey production attracts attention due to its economic importance worldwide. Our findings point to the need to identify the prevalence of APV in Brazilian turkey production, to perform risk assessment studies and continued surveillance of APV infections in both wild and commercial avian species. . Estudos adicionais, como isolamento viral, PCR e sequenciamento, incluindo um grande número de perus da produção brasileira devem ser conduzidos devido ao grave risco que a infecção por poxvírus pode causar ao cenário de produção avícola brasileira, tendo em vista que a produção brasileira de perus atrai atenção devido a sua importância mundial. Nossos resultados apontam para a necessidade de identificar a prevalência da APV na produção de peru no Brasil, para realizar estudos de avaliação de risco e continuada monitoração de infecções por APV nas espécies de aves comerciais e silvestres.

Identification and phylogenetic analysis of clade C Avipoxvirus in a fowlpox outbreak in exotic psittacines in southern Brazil

“…8,9 Small differences among the sequences recovered in our clinical cases, and those isolated in Europe and in the United States, may be related to the high conservation of APV DNA. 12 In addition, extensive adaptation to different species in distinct geographic regions highlights the potential results of anthropogenic action that allows unnatural contact between species, both in zoos and in the wild. 8 Circulation of APVs among closely related hosts and breeders with different bird species, as described in our cases, provide a natural interface for viral exchange and coinfection.…”

“…19 However, some isolates may be located in a third group of psittacids in clade C. 8,9 Phylogenetic characterization of APV from turkeys in Brazil was achieved in 2016. 12 The isolates were classified in subclass 1 of clade A, which comprises strains from galliform birds, with a wide geographic distribution. Clade C consists exclusively of isolates from psittacids.…”

Avipoxvirus detected in tumor-like lesions in a white-faced whistling duck (Dendrocygna viduata)

“…Poxvirus involved in the neoplasm of the white-faced whistling duck (D. viduata) exhibited high genetic similarity to other avian poxviruses detected mainly in domestic fowl, such as chickens and turkeys (Cluster A). Among these highly similar strains are Brazilian fowlpox virus detected in nonneoplastic skin lesions in commercial turkeys (Kunert-Filho et al 2016). The phylogenetic analysis also showed major genetic differences between our strain and those obtained from non-neoplastic lesions in some pigeon species, eagle own, great bustard and Harris's hawk.…”