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An Efficient Method for Adenovirus Production
Published on: June 10, 2021
A fiber gene-based polymerase chain reaction for specific detection of pigeon adenovirus
1Institute of Poultry Diseases, Free University Berlin, Koserstrasse 21, Germany.
Abstract:
A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to detect a recently described pigeon adenovirus (PiAV). Primers located in the fiber gene of PiAV amplified a PCR fragment solely from PiAV DNA, whereas all 12 serotypes of fowl adenoviruses (FAV1 to FAV12), some of them able to infect pigeons, did not react. A PCR fragment of 967 base pairs was amplified from three different isolates serologically typed as PiAV and from some pigeon liver samples showing morphological and histological signs of an adenovirus infection. Those samples did not react with a published primer pair (H3/H4) able to detect FAV, demonstrating the specificity of both PCRs to react exclusively with the respective pathogen, PiAV or FAV. The presented PCR is a suitable diagnostic tool to gain further insight into the epidemiology of PiAV infections in pigeons.
Insights
A new diagnostic tool, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), was developed to detect pigeon adenovirus (PiAV). This specific PCR accurately identifies PiAV in pigeons, aiding in understanding PiAV infections.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Avian Pathology
Background:
- Pigeon adenovirus (PiAV) is a recently identified pathogen affecting pigeons.
- Existing diagnostic methods may lack specificity or fail to detect PiAV effectively.
- Fowl adenoviruses (FAVs) can also infect pigeons, complicating diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the detection of pigeon adenovirus (PiAV).
- To differentiate PiAV from fowl adenoviruses (FAVs) in avian samples.
Main Methods:
- Development of novel primers targeting the fiber gene of PiAV.
- Application of PCR to PiAV isolates and pigeon liver samples.
- Testing primer specificity against 12 serotypes of FAV and a previously published FAV primer pair (H3/H4).
Main Results:
- The developed PCR assay successfully amplified a 967 base pair fragment exclusively from PiAV DNA.
- No cross-reactivity was observed with any of the 12 FAV serotypes tested.
- The assay demonstrated specificity in differentiating PiAV from FAV in clinical samples.
Conclusions:
- The newly developed PCR assay is a specific and suitable diagnostic tool for detecting PiAV.
- This assay will facilitate further research into the epidemiology of PiAV infections in pigeon populations.
- Accurate diagnosis of PiAV is crucial for disease management in pigeons.
