New Findings in Veterinary Microbiology

New Findings in Veterinary Microbiology

Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Avian Encephalomyelitis Virus: Study of an Imported Clinical Case

Document Type : Short Communication

Authors
Hossein Hosseini 1
Zahra Ziafati Kafi 2
Soroush Sarmadi 2
Fahimeh Jamiri 2
Alireza Bakhshi 2
Nazanin Sarvian 2
Omid Eghbali 2
Arash Ghalyanchi Langeroudi 2
1 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch,Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
2 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/nfvm.2025.479736.1257
Abstract
Avian encephalomyelitis (AE) is an infectious disease caused by the avian encephalomyelitis virus (AEV). In present study, brain tissue samples were collected from a 12-day-old broiler flock (imported from Turkey) located on farms in Mazandaran Province, Iran. The flock exhibited neurological symptoms suggestive of avian encephalomyelitis, including ataxia, intermittent tremors, head and neck shaking, weakness in the legs, and paralysis. Molecular testing and VP2 gene sequence analysis were performed. According to the results the strain PCRLAB-UT -2023 showed the highest similarity (99.65%) to strain ZCHP2/0912 from Poland and strain USP-BR-463-4 from Brazil. Further analysis revealed a high similarity (99.29%) of the current isolate with some of previously submitted vaccine strains in GenBank. This study reports the first case of AEV introduction into the country through importing an infected flock highlighting the importance of regular epidemiological investigations and continuous monitoring of imported birds. Furthermore, the genetic similarity between the isolate in this study and some registered vaccine strains in GenBank necessitate more precise monitoring of vaccination efficacy and post-vaccination surveillance. The findings can contribute to a better understanding of the potential mechanisms of live vaccine virus transmission and its impact on poultry flocks health, emphasizing the need to strengthen the monitoring of the origin of imported flocks.
Keywords
Avian encephalomyelitis
Poultry
Vaccine
Phylogeny

Subjects

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New Findings in Veterinary Microbiology
Volume 8, Summer
Summer 2025
Pages 32-43

  • Receive Date 22 September 2024
  • Revise Date 06 January 2025
  • Accept Date 07 January 2025