Surveillance and Molecular Characterization of Marek's Disease Virus (MDV) Strains Circulating in Tanzania

Marek's disease (MD) is a highly contagious and oncogenic viral disease of poultry, causing significant economic losses due to mortality and reduced performance. The rapid evolution of Marek's disease virus (MDV) has been reported in poultry farms, often overcoming vaccination and leading to disease outbreaks. This study aimed to detect and molecularly characterize circulating MDV strains in Tanzania, with a focus on their genetic relationship with the vaccine strains currently in use (HVT and CVI988). Samples were collected from six livestock representative zones in Tanzania (Central, Eastern, Southern, Southern Highlands, Lake, and Northern Zone) and analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of key oncogenic genes (meq, pp38, and vIL-8). Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using MEGA 12 software to determine the genetic relationships between Tanzanian isolates and MDV strains from Africa and other continents. The results confirm the widespread circulation of MDV in Tanzania, with an overall prevalence of 18.08% across all surveyed zones. Molecular characterization of the meq, pp38, and vIL-8 genes revealed high sequence similarity with previously reported MDV strains from Egypt, Nigeria, Israel, and China, with clustering observed in the phylogenetic analysis. Notably, Tanzanian MDV strains exhibited amino acid substitutions associated with increased virulence, particularly in the meq gene, which plays a crucial role in MDV-induced tumorigenesis. These findings suggest that MDV strains in Tanzania have undergone genetic changes that could potentially affect vaccine efficacy. Therefore, this study provides valuable information for vaccine manufacturers, poultry farmers, and policymakers in Tanzania, enabling informed decisions when selecting vaccines for MD control.