Molecular Characterization of Avian Metapneumovirus from Guinea Fowls (Numida meleagridis)

Lupini

Franzo

et al. 2020

Transbound Emerg Dis

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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What is new on molecular characteristics of Avian metapneumovirus strains circulating in Europe?

Lupini

Franzo

et al. 2020

Transbound Emerg Dis

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“…Avian Metapenumovirus (aMPV) is a well-known pathogen affecting particularly turkeys and chickens, although also other avian species including guinea fowls [1] , pheasants [2] and ducks [3] can be infected. aMPV has been associated with upper respiratory tract infections in turkeys and chickens, which can lead to relevant clinical signs and economic losses, especially in presence of secondary infections [4] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Avian Metapneumovirus subtype B around Europe: a phylodynamic reconstruction

Franzo

Legnardi

et al. 2020

Vet Res

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Avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV) has been recognized as a respiratory pathogen of turkey and chickens for a long time. Recently, a crescent awareness of aMPV, especially subtype B, clinical and economic impact has risen among European researchers and veterinarians. Nevertheless, the knowledge of its epidemiology and evolution is still limited. In the present study, the broadest available collection of partial G gene sequences obtained from European aMPV-B strains was analyzed using different phylodynamic and biostatistical approaches to reconstruct the viral spreading over time and the role of different hosts on its evolution. After aMPV-B introduction, approximatively in 1985 in France, the infection spread was relatively quick, involving the Western and Mediterranean Europe until the end of the 1990s, and then spreading westwards at the beginning of the new millennium, in parallel with an increase of viral population size. In the following period, a wider mixing among aMPV-B strains detected in eastern and western countries could be observed. Most of the within-country genetic heterogeneity was ascribable to single or few introduction events, followed by local circulation. This, combined with the high evolutionary rate herein demonstrated, led to the establishment of genetically and phenotypically different clusters among countries, which could affect the efficacy of natural or vaccine-induced immunity and should be accounted for when planning control measure implementation. On the contrary, while a significant strain exchange was proven among turkey, guinea fowl and chicken, no evidence of differential selective pressures or specific amino-acid mutations was observed, suggesting that no host adaptation is occurring.

“…Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) infections in Europe have been an issue since its first appearance both in turkeys, chickens and in other minor species (Toquin, Bayon-Auboyer, Eterradossi, & Jestin, 1999;Catelli et al, 2001;Cecchinato, Ferreira, Munir, & Catelli, 2017;, causing economic losses mainly due to respiratory or reproductive problems (Cecchinato et al, 2012), often exacerbated by secondary bacterial infections (Giovanardi et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What is new on molecular characteristics of Avian metapneumovirus strains circulating in Europe?

Lupini

Franzo³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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In the present study one hundred and sixteen partial G gene sequences of Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) subtype B, obtained during routine diagnostics in different European Countries in the last few years (2014)(2015)(2016)(2017)(2018)(2019), were analysed by sequence and phylogenetic analyses in order to draw an updated picture of the molecular characteristics of circulating strains. Nucleotide sequences were compared with other sequences of European and extra-European aMPV-Bs collected prior to that period or retrieved from GenBank. Phylogenetic relationships among the aMPV-B strains, reconstructed using the Maximum Likelihood method implemented in MEGA X, demonstrated that aMPV-B has evolved in Europe from its first appearance, frequently displaying a clear relation with the geographic area of detection. The 40% of aMPV-B viruses analysed were classified as vaccine-derived strains, being phylogenetically related, and showing high nucleotide identity with live commercial vaccine strains licensed in Europe. The remaining 60% were classified as field strains since they clustered separately and showed a low nucleotide identity with vaccines and vaccine-derived strains. The phylogenetic tree showed that the virus has continued to evolve from its first appearance in the '80s since more recently detected strains belonged to clades phylogenetically distant from the older strains. Unlike vaccine-derived strains, field strains tended to cluster according to their geographic origin and irrespective of the host species where the viruses had been detected. In conclusion, the molecular characterization of aMPV-B and the differentiation between vaccines and field strains through G gene sequence analysis can be a useful tool towards correct diagnosis and should be routinely applied in order to better address the control strategies.