Isolation, Identification, Sequence Analysis, and Pathogenicity of a CIAV Strain from Aegypius monachus

A cluster of vultures, artificially bred in a zoo in Shandong Province, China, displayed signs of emaciation and some even died, which raised the suspicion of an immunosuppressive pathogen. Upon conducting nucleic acid testing on the clinical samples, it was found that the CIAV was present in the tissue of dead vulture. In this study, samples of dead vulture tissue were used to isolate a chicken infectious anemia virus (CIAV) via the MDCC-MSB1 cell line, which was designated the SDTY2021-TJ strain. The full-length genomic sequence of SDTY2021-TJ was determined and analyzed in detail. The full genomic DNA of SDTY2021-TJ was found to be 2298 bp, with no omissions or additions in the coding region. The homology between the full-length genomic sequence of SDTY2021-TJ and the reference strain ranged from 95.5% (Del-Ros) to 98.7% (YN04). In comparison with the reference strain, the VP1 protein of SDTY2021-TJ contained a number of mutations. To assess the virulence of SDTY2021-TJ, one-day-old SPF chickens were inoculated with both high and low doses of the pathogen. The results demonstrated that SDTY2021-TJ had a considerable pathogenicity to SPF chickens, as the high-dose group caused a 50% mortality rate, and even the low-dose group caused a 30% mortality rate. The chickens infected with the disease exhibited paleness in the cockscomb and stunted growth, as well as a compromised response to NDV and AIV-H9 inactivated vaccine. Furthermore, histological observation revealed an atrophy and degeneration of the thymus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first instance of CIAV being isolated from artificially bred Aegypius monachus, implying that wild birds may be involved in the transmission and spread of CIAV.