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Updated: Sep 26, 2026
Optimization of Antigen Preparation for Hemagglutination Inhibition Assay of Newcastle Disease Virus Serology
Published on: January 24, 2025
Haemagglutinating activity of the lentogenic Newcastle disease virus strain MET95
Yasushi Murakawa1, Masahi Sakaguchi, Kenji Soejima
1Miyazaki University, Gakuen-Kibanadai, Japan. murakawa@kaketsuken.or.jp
Abstract:
Using the rapid glass plate method, the Newcastle disease virus strain MET95 showed much weaker haemagglutination (HA) activity for chicken erythrocytes than 69 other Newcastle disease viruses, including 56 field strains isolated from chickens reared in Japan between 1988 and 2001. Using erythrocytes from other avian species, only the MET95 strain failed to show HA activity for erythrocytes from ducks, geese or pigeons. The haemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein of the MET95 strain was shown to have unique substitutions of isoleucine for thereonine and leucine at amino acide residues 216 and 552. It is suggested that these two substitutions might relate to the unique HA activity of the MET95 strain. This HA activity may be a useful marker for this strain.
Insights
Newcastle disease virus strain MET95 exhibits significantly weaker haemagglutination activity in chickens and fails to agglutinate erythrocytes from ducks, geese, or pigeons. Unique substitutions in its haemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein may explain this distinct characteristic.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Avian Pathology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Newcastle disease virus (NDV) poses a significant threat to poultry worldwide.
- Haemagglutination (HA) activity is a key characteristic of NDV strains, influencing viral tropism and pathogenicity.
- Understanding variations in HA activity is crucial for disease surveillance and control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the haemagglutination (HA) activity of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain MET95.
- To compare the HA activity of strain MET95 with other NDV strains using various avian erythrocytes.
- To investigate potential molecular basis for any observed unique HA activity in strain MET95.
Main Methods:
- Rapid glass plate method for assessing haemagglutination (HA) activity.
- Testing NDV strain MET95 against erythrocytes from chickens, ducks, geese, and pigeons.
- Analysis of amino acid substitutions in the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein of strain MET95.
Main Results:
- NDV strain MET95 demonstrated significantly weaker HA activity compared to 69 other NDV strains, including 56 Japanese field isolates.
- Strain MET95 uniquely failed to agglutinate erythrocytes from ducks, geese, and pigeons.
- The haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein of strain MET95 exhibited unique isoleucine and leucine substitutions at residues 216 and 552.
Conclusions:
- The unique HA activity profile of NDV strain MET95, particularly its reduced activity in chickens and lack of activity in other avian species, distinguishes it from other NDV strains.
- Specific amino acid substitutions (Isoleucine at 216, Leucine at 552) in the HN protein are suggested as the cause of the altered HA activity.
- The distinct HA activity of strain MET95 could serve as a valuable marker for its identification and epidemiological tracking.
