Occurrence and Molecular Characterization of Alphaherpesvirus in Psittacines in the State of Mato Grosso

The Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily belongs to the Orthoherpesviridae family, whose viruses are characterized by rapid replication and the ability to establish latent infection in host cells. These viruses cause important avian diseases such as Marek's disease, infectious laryngotracheitis, and Pacheco's disease (PD) in psittacines. In Brazilian avifauna, especially within the Psittacidae family, sanitary problems are frequently observed due to stress caused by deforestation and wildlife trafficking, factors that can exacerbate herpesvirus infections. Due to the limited available data on herpesvirus occurrence in wild psittacines, the aim of this study was to survey and identify alphaherpesviruses in psittacine species in Mato Grosso using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, correlating the results with phylogenetic analysis. Biological samples were obtained from IBAMA, SEMA, and CEMPAS and sent to the Veterinary Hospital of UFMT (HOVET) between 2019 and 2024. PCR-positive samples, which amplified a 264-bp fragment of the UL30 gene, were subjected to sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. In total, 131 samples were analyzed, including liver tissue, cloacal swabs, and blood, from both captive and free-living birds. Twelve (9.16%) were positive by PCR, with swabs showing the highest detection rate. A sequenced sample from Amazona aestiva showed 79.77% amino acid identity with Eupsittula herpesvirus, suggesting a potentially distinct alphaherpesvirus lineage. Another positive sample from Ara ararauna showed 97.65% identity with Meleagrid alphaherpesvirus 1. These results demonstrate the detection of alphaherpesviruses in psittacine birds from Mato Grosso and reveal phylogenetic relationships that warrant further genomic investigation to better understand viral diversity and potential host associations.