title: Molecular characterization of infectious bronchitis viruses isolated from broiler chicken farms in Iran, 2014-2015.
abstract: Infectious bronchitis (IB) is a viral avian disease with economic importance in the world, including Iran. S1 gene sequencing has been used for molecular epidemiological studies and genotypic characterization of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). A total of 118 IBV isolates were obtained from tissue samples from chickens with clinically suspected IB from Iranian broiler farms (eight provinces, 200 samples). The isolates were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and characterized by sequencing the spike glycoprotein gene. The isolates formed six distinct phylogenetic groups (IS/1494/06 [Var2] like, 4/91-like, IS/720-like, QX-like, IR-1 and Mass-like) that were related to variants isolated in the region. The most frequently detected viruses were of the Var2-like (IS/1494/06-like) genotype, with an overall prevalence of 34 %. Twenty-one percent of the isolates formed a cluster together with the 4/91 IBV type, 10 % were of the QX genotype, and 8 % were of the IS/720 genotype. In addition, 4 % and 3 % of the isolates belonged to the Massachusetts and IR-1 genotype, respectively. For the first time, we have isolated and characterized IBV variants from broiler farms in different provinces of Iran. This study demonstrates a constant evolution of IBV in Iran, demonstrating the need for continuous monitoring and development of new vaccines based on indigenous viruses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, IRAN.
authors.forename: Hamideh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Najafi
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, IRAN. arashghalyanchi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Arash Ghalyanchi
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Langeroudi
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Production of Poultry Viral Vaccine, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Karaj, IRAN.
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hashemzadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, IRAN.
authors.forename: Vahid
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Karimi
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, IRAN.
authors.forename: Omid
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Madadgar
authors.affiliation: Iranian veterinary Organization, Tehran, IRAN.
authors.forename: Seyed Ali
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ghafouri
authors.affiliation: Iranian veterinary Organization, Tehran, IRAN.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maghsoudlo
authors.affiliation: Iranian veterinary Organization, Tehran, IRAN.
authors.forename: Reza Khaltabadi
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Farahani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D005838:Genotype; D001351:Infectious bronchitis virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007492:Iran; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000821:virology*