title: Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of Newcastle disease virus isolates from healthy wild birds.
abstract: Wild waterfowl is considered a natural reservoir of potentially infectious agents and a source of pathogenic viruses like avian paramyxoviruses type 1 (APMV 1). In 1997, commercial poultry in Argentina had reached the status of being free from virulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) infections. Vaccination and biosecurity measures are actively performed to maintain this preferential sanitary condition. However, the risk of reintroduction of pathogenic viruses is always present. In this context, we conducted a study to describe the status of wild healthy birds in a geographic region relevant for the poultry industry. The presence of anti-NDV antibodies was determined in different species in all areas sampled suggesting previous contact with NDV. Seven ND viruses were isolated and characterized as apathogenic strains by biological and molecular methods. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the majority of the Argentinian isolates form a subgroup related to viruses of genotype II. The results presented here highlight the importance of maintaining strict biosecurity measures and vaccination programs in poultry industries in order to preserve the virulent NDV-free status for commercial flocks in the country.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biotecnología, CICVyA-INTA, Cc25 B1712WAA Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Flavia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zanetti
authors.forename: Analía
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berinstein
authors.forename: Ariel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pereda
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Taboga
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carrillo
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000821:virology; D001118:Argentina; D001483:Base Sequence; D001717:Birds / Q000821:virology*; D016679:Genome, Viral; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009522:Newcastle disease virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012703:Serotyping; D014760:Viral Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral; D014760:Viral Fusion Proteins