Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 25, 2026
Field Postmortem Rabies Rapid Immunochromatographic Diagnostic Test for Resource-Limited Settings with Further Molecular Applications
Published on: June 29, 2020
Genotypic characterization of psittacid herpesvirus isolates from Brazil
Marcela Miranda Luppi1, Ana Paula Moreira Franco Luiz1, Fabiana Magalhães Coelho1
1Laboratório de Virologia Comparada, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil.
Abstract:
Thirty-six isolates of psittacid herpesvirus (PsHV), obtained from 12 different species of psittacids in Brazil, were genotypically characterized by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and PCR amplification. RFLP analysis with the PstI enzyme revealed four distinct restriction patterns (A1, X, W and Y), of which only A1 (corresponding to PsHV-1) had previously been described. To study PCR amplification patterns, six pairs of primers were used. Using this method, six variants were identified, of which, variants 10, 8, and 9 (in this order) were most prevalent, followed by variants 1, 4, and 5. It was not possible to correlate the PCR and RFLP patterns. Twenty-nine of the 36 isolates were shown to contain a 419bp fragment of the UL16 gene, displaying high similarity to the PsHV-1 sequences available in GenBank. Comparison of the results with the literature data suggests that the 36 Brazilian isolates from this study belong to genotype 1 and serotype 1.
Insights
This study genetically characterized psittacid herpesvirus (PsHV) from Brazilian parrots. Most isolates belonged to genotype 1 and serotype 1, with distinct RFLP and PCR patterns observed.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Avian Pathology
Background:
- Psittacid herpesvirus (PsHV) poses a significant threat to psittacine birds.
- Genotypic characterization is crucial for understanding PsHV diversity and epidemiology.
- Previous studies have identified limited PsHV genotypes in Brazil.
Purpose of the Study:
- To genetically characterize 36 psittacid herpesvirus (PsHV) isolates from Brazil.
- To identify novel PsHV variants and compare them with existing genotypes.
- To determine the prevalence of specific PsHV genotypes and serotypes in Brazilian psittacine populations.
Main Methods:
- Genotypic characterization using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) with PstI enzyme.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification with six primer pairs.
- Analysis of the UL16 gene fragment (419bp) for sequence similarity.
Main Results:
- Four distinct RFLP patterns were identified (A1, X, W, Y), with A1 (PsHV-1) being previously described.
- Six PCR variants were detected, with variants 10, 8, and 9 being the most prevalent.
- No correlation was found between RFLP and PCR patterns.
- Twenty-nine isolates contained a UL16 gene fragment similar to PsHV-1, suggesting genotype 1 classification.
Conclusions:
- The 36 Brazilian PsHV isolates predominantly belong to genotype 1 and serotype 1.
- Distinct RFLP and PCR patterns highlight genetic diversity within Brazilian PsHV isolates.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the epidemiological dynamics of PsHV in Brazil.
