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Vaccinia Virus Infection & Temporal Analysis of Virus Gene Expression: Part 1
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Vaccinia Virus Infection & Temporal Analysis of Virus Gene Expression: Part 1

Published on: April 8, 2009

Molecular biological characterization of avian poxvirus strains isolated from different avian species

Giovanni Manarolla1, Giuliano Pisoni, Giuseppe Sironi

  • 1Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Igiene e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy. giovanni.manarolla@unimi.it

Veterinary Microbiology
|August 4, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Molecular characterization of Avipoxvirus strains revealed the P4b gene as a reliable diagnostic marker. Sequencing identified clusters with Fowlpox and Canarypox viruses, suggesting a potential new clade in Japanese quail isolates.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Virology
  • Avian Pathology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Avipoxvirus (APV) infections pose significant challenges in avian health.
  • Characterizing diverse APV strains is crucial for understanding viral evolution and disease dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To molecularly characterize fifteen Avipoxvirus strains isolated from various avian species.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of specific genes as diagnostic markers for APV identification and classification.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and cultivation of Avipoxvirus strains in embryonated chicken eggs.
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing of the conserved P4b gene.
  • Analysis of a newly identified locus, fpv140, for strain classification.

Main Results:

  • Microscopic viral growth was detected in all strains, though visible pocks were infrequent.
  • PCR targeting the P4b gene confirmed all isolates as Avipoxvirus, demonstrating its reliability.
  • Sequencing revealed clustering with Fowlpox virus and Canarypox virus, with one Japanese quail strain potentially forming a new clade.
  • Amplification of the fpv140 locus showed limited utility, with only five samples testing positive.

Conclusions:

  • The P4b gene is a robust marker for Avipoxvirus diagnosis across different strains.
  • Avipoxvirus strains exhibit genetic diversity, with potential for novel clades requiring further investigation.
  • Wider genomic analysis and larger isolate numbers are recommended for comprehensive Avipoxvirus classification.

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