Molecular Epidemiology and Genotyping of Infectious Bronchitis Virus and Avian Metapneumovirus in Backyard and Commercial Chickens in Jimma Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

Poultry production plays a relevant role in the Ethiopian economy and represents a source of poverty alleviation for several social classes. Infectious diseases can therefore significantly impact the economy and welfare. Despite infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) being present, the knowledge of their epidemiology and impact is extremely limited. In the present work, a cross-sectional study based on 500 tracheal swabs collected from 50 intensive and backyard unvaccinated flocks of the Jimma Zone was performed to investigate the circulation of these viruses and molecularly characterize them. IBV and aMPV presence was tested by molecular assays, and genotyping was carried out on positive samples. Accordingly, 6% (95% CI 2.06% to 16.22%) and 8% (95% CI 3.15% to 18.84%) of flocks tested IBV and aMPV positive, respectively. Particularly, IBV 793B (GI-13) strains were detected in backyard flocks only, and identical or closely related sequences (p-distance <2%) were detected in distantly spaced flocks, suggesting relevant viral circulation. On the contrary, both backyard and intensive flocks were affected by aMPV subtype B. Potential epidemiological links associated to the importation of parental birds from foreign countries could be established. These results highlight non-negligible circulation of these viruses, warranting further epidemiological studies and the evaluation of control measure implementation.

Cross-species surveillance and risk factors associated with Avian Coronavirus in North-Central and South West Regions of Nigeria

“…However, the prevalence obtained for Oyo state in this study (50%) was lower than 78.32% reported by Emikpe et al in 2010 in the same location. Generally, the prevalence among local chickens in this study (49.1%) was higher than 21.2% reported in Ghana (Ayim-Akonor et al, 2018) but lower than 74.9% reported in Ethiopia among unvaccinated backyard chickens (Tesfaye et al, 2019). This cross-country seroprevalence differences might have resulted from varying environmental factors (which could mitigate the spread of IBV among local chickens), availability and use of IBV vaccine and hygiene practise.…”

Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Infectious Bronchitis Virus in Chicken in Northwest Ethiopia

“…Tesfaye et al [ 21 ] identified four serotypes of infectious bronchitis virus, namely, M41, D-274, 793B, and QX from unvaccinated backyard and commercial farms. Similarly, Tegegne et al [ 22 ] detected IBV 793B (GI-13) strains in backyard flocks in Jimma Zone, with a prevalence of 6%. Besides, Hutton et al [ 20 ] reported the detection of variant IBV (793B genotype) from the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), located in Debre Zeit where no vaccination protocol has been implemented.…”

“…Tesfaye et al [ 21 ] also reported M41, D-274, 793B, and QX serotypes, with a prevalence of 74.88% and 68.75% in the unvaccinated backyard and commercial farms, respectively. Moreover, Tegegne et al [ 22 ] detected IBV 793B (GI-13) strains, with a prevalence of 6% from intensive and backyard unvaccinated flocks of the Jimma Zone. There was no study in northwest Ethiopia.…”

Serological and Molecular Characterization of Avian Metapneumovirus in Chickens in Northern Vietnam

“…In the literature, the reported prevalence of aMPV was low (<30%) in many countries; for example, it was 1.04% in Ethiopia [42], 2.8% in Greece [43], 13.3% in Jordan [16] and 25.6% in Italy [44]. The detection rates of aMPV in northern Vietnam (17.2%) demonstrated a similar low prevalence to other countries.…”