Evolutionary Dynamics and Age-Dependent Pathogenesis of Sub-Genotype VI.2.1.1.2.2 PPMV-1 in Pigeons

Abstract

Pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1) infection causes high morbidity in pigeons, resulting in a significant burden to the poultry industry. In this study, we isolated three PPMV-1 strains from diseased pigeons collected in Guangdong Province, South China, from June 2017 to April 2019. Genetic analysis revealed that these three PPMV-1 strains and most of the PPMV-1 strains isolated from China after 2011 were clustered into sub-genotype VI.2.1.1.2.2. Our Bayesian analysis revealed that the VI.2.1.1.2.2 viruses might have originated in Europe. Phylogeographic analyses revealed that East and South China might have played a key role in seeding the VI.2.1.1.2.2 PPMV-1 epidemic in China. To characterize the effect of age at infection on the outcome of PPMV-1 infection in pigeons, we investigated the pathogenesis and transmission of the pigeon/Guangdong/GZ08/2017 (GZ08) virus in 3-, 6-, and 12-week-old pigeons. Two of six 12-week-old pigeons inoculated with GZ08 survived, and all of the 3- and 6-week-pigeons inoculated with GZ08 died. Moreover, the GZ08 virus could be transmitted to 3-, 6-, and 12-week-old naïve contact pigeons. The lethality of the GZ08 virus through contact with 3-, 6-, and 12-week-old pigeons was 100%, 66.7%, and 0%, respectively, suggesting that the transmissibility of the GZ08 virus was stronger in young pigeons. These findings demonstrated that East and South China was the epicenter for dissemination of VI.2.1.1.2.2 PPMV-1, and age at infection has an impact on the outcome of PPMV-1 infection in pigeons.

Phylodynamic analyses of class I Newcastle disease virus isolated in China

“…In this study, the majority of class I NDV strains were isolated from chickens (87/104, 83.65%). Although the large number of chicken-derived samples is responsible for this significant proportion, it also indicates that class I NDVs are currently prevalent in However, it is worth noting that some factors such as sparse sampling, biased collection and sequencing could have potentially affected this conclusion (Bahl et al, 2016;Magee, Suchard, & Scotch, 2017;Xie et al, 2020). In the data set of this study, the first isolate submitted to GenBank was identified in 1991, whereas earlier strains were not isolated owing to lack of resources and research techniques at the time.…”

Insights into Genomic Epidemiology, Evolution, and Transmission Dynamics of Genotype VII of Class II Newcastle Disease Virus in China

“…Meanwhile, some virulent NDV in genotype III, VIII, IX, and XII were also sporadically identified in China [ 12 , 13 , 17 ]. The genotype VI virulent viruses mainly circulated in pigeons [ 39 , 40 , 41 ]. The genotype XII NDVs, which caused ND outbreaks in Peru and Vietnam, were emerged in waterfowls in Guangdong province in 2010 [ 12 ].…”

“…Over the next few decades, these viruses spread from East China to the rest of the country, becoming the dominant strains in the 2010s ( Figure 5 ), and our results suggest that East China is likely the epicenter for the dissemination of genotype VII NDVs ( Table 1 , Figure 6 ). However, it is worth noting that some factors, such as sparse sampling, biased collection, and sequencing, could potentially affect this conclusion, especially considering the lack of epidemiological surveillance in the last century [ 41 , 43 ]. Therefore, wider and more sustained epidemiological surveillance in the future will be necessary to better understand the epidemiological and ecological characteristics of NDV, and is crucial for detecting genotype VII strains and ND outbreaks in general.…”

Biological Characterization and Evolutionary Dynamics of Pigeon Paramyxovirus Type 1 in China

“…With the rapid development of China's social economy and the continuous improvement in people's quality of life in recent years, the pigeon industry has also developed rapidly, but the epidemic situation of diseases caused by PPMV-1 is not optimistic. Since its first isolation in China in the 1980s, PPMV-1 has long been prevalent in numerous provinces and regions of China, seriously impeding the development of the pigeon industry (23)(24)(25)(26)(27). As a result, it is critical to strengthen the epidemiological surveillance of PPMV-1 in China.…”

“…Bayesian phylodynamic inference is widely regarded as one of the most employed methods for speculating on the origin of epidemics, tracking the geographic spread and transmission dynamics of infectious pathogens (28). Several previous studies have suggested that PPMV-1 of China might have originated in Europe (14,27,29,30). However, the evolutionary and transmission dynamics of PPMV-1 in China remain not well-understood.…”