Genetic Diversity of Fowlpox Virus and Putative Genes Involved in Its Pathogenicity

Abstract

This study aims at determining molecular candidates using comparative genomics to differentiate between the diphtheritic and cutaneous forms of FPV infection, in addition to their association with the pathogenicity of the virus. Full-genomic analyses of multiple fowlpox strains, including field viruses, isolated between 1960s and 2019, and vaccine strains showed the genetic diversity due to regional differences.

Pros and Cons on Use of Live Viral Vaccines in Commercial Chicken Flocks

“…A recent field study on 21 FPV complete genomes evidenced low genetic diversity relative to their overall size and were phylogenetically divided into two classes, based on their regional distribution. The strain showed relatively low pathogenicity in chickens, and were classified into a new subgroup (76). Despite genetic differences in the genome of field FPV isolates, commercial vaccine based on monovalent strains offer protection against virulent field strains witnessing the effectiveness of live vaccines under field conditions (74).…”