Veterinary Research Forum
Vet Res Forum

Genetic characterization of pigeon- origin avian avulavirus-1 reveals unique substitutions in F and HN proteins

Document Type : Short Communication

Authors

Deepthi Balam 1
Ratnamma Doddamane 2
Ramani Pushpa Rn 3
Shrikrishna Isloor 2
Veeregowda Bm 2

1 Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Garividi, India

2 Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Veterinary College, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Science University, Bangalore, India

3 Department of Veterinary Microbiology, NTR College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Gannavaram, India

https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2023.2004035.3904
Abstract
Since decades, Newcastle disease (ND) has become endemic in the poultry population of the Indian subcontinent. ND is a highly contagious disease of poultry and other avian species. However, the genetic nature of ND viruses circulating in the rock pigeons is unraveled. The present investigation is a part of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) surveillance in wild birds. Two velogenic NDV strains could be isolated from apparently healthy rock pigeons, thus establishing the status of carrier/reservoir host. The fusion protein cleavage site in the fusion protein has multiple basic amino acid (RRRKRF) motifs similar to velogenic isolates. Phylogenetic analysis based on complete fusion gene sequences confirmed that the isolates belong to NDV sub genotype XIII 2.2. Further analysis revealed several amino acid substitutions in the hypervariable region, heptad repeat regions and neutralizing epitopes of the fusion protein and heptad repeat regions and antigenic sites of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein that are critical for fusion. A unique D170A substitution in the neutralizing epitope is identified that is critical for structure and function of the fusion protein. Mutations within the virulence determinants including fusion (F) and HN, elucidate continuous evolution of the viruses among the rock pigeons. Accidental spillover of these mutated viruses into commercial poultry operations may result in disease outbreaks with economic breakdown.

Keywords

Avian avulavirus
Chicken
Columba livia
Fusion protein Transmission
Subjects
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Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 15, Issue 6
June 2024
Pages 317-323

  • Receive Date 05 June 2023
  • Revise Date 11 October 2023
  • Accept Date 02 December 2023

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