Molecular characterization of fowl aviadenoviruses species D and E associated with inclusion body hepatitis in chickens and falcons indicates possible cross-species transmission
ABSTRACT During the period from 2015 to 2017, frequent outbreaks of inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) were observed in broiler chickens and falcons in Saudi Arabia. Fifty samples were collected from both species. The histopathological examination and polymerase chain reaction confirmed the IBH infection in eight samples (five samples from chickens and three samples from falcons). The genomic sequence and phylogenetic analysis based on nucleotide and amino acid sequences of Saudi strains, reference fowl aviadenoviruses (FAdVs) and field viruses available in Genbank revealed that all investigated FAdVs clustered into FAdV-2 (species D) and FAdV-6 (species E). The host-dependent characterization revealed that falcon origin strains showed low identity (∼35%) with falcon adenoviruses isolated from USA, which clustered into a separate group. The identification of FAdV-D and FAdV-E in diseased falcons and chickens indicates cross-species transmission although falcons and chickens are phylogenetically different. The control of IBH infection in falcons and chickens should be based on the separation of carriers and susceptible chickens as well as falcons to prevent cross-species contact. Vaccination is an important method for prevention of IBH. The characterization of newly emerging FAdV strains provides valuable information for the development of an efficacious control strategy based on the molecular structure of current circulating FAdV strains in different species of birds.
The first whole genome sequence of a Fowl adenovirus B strain enables interspecies comparisons within the genus Aviadenovirus.
Fowl adenoviruses (FAdVs) are grouped into five different species: Fowl adenovirus A through Fowl adenovirus E (FAdV-A to FAdV-E), and so far, complete nucleotide sequences are only available for the genomes of FAdV-A, FAdV-C, FAdV-D and FAdV-E members. The aim of this study was to sequence and analyze the complete genome of the reference strain representing FAdV-B (FAdV-5, strain 340). By applying Next Generation Sequencing, the genome was found to be 45,781 bp long with 56.5% G+C content, and being very similar to the other FAdV strains. Genome organization and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the present division of the genus Aviadenovirus into species and the closer genetic relationship between FAdV-D and FAdV-E. In the left end region of the genome, homologues to the first predicted genes (ORF0-ORF12) described for FAdV-C (strain KR5) were present in the genome of strain 340, but ORFs 14B and 14C were absent. The central part of the strain 340 genome (IVa2-pVIII) showed an organization identical to that of other adenoviruses (but lacking the gene of protein V, which occurs only in mastadenoviruses). Just one fiber gene was identified. The right end region of the genome showed more heterogeneity. The predicted gene content within this region varies among aviadenoviruses, while the gene order and orientation of shared ORFs are conserved between different aviadenoviruses. With the completion of full genomes from all fowl adenovirus species, additional insights into the evolution of genus Aviadenovirus were obtained.
Genotypic diversity in field isolates of Babesia bovis from cattle with babesiosis after vaccination.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether particular genotypes of Babesia bovis were common to field isolates obtained from cattle properties in Queensland where the B bovis vaccine had apparently failed.


DESIGN
A comparative study of polymerase chain reaction genotypes in different populations of B bovis.


PROCEDURE
Two polymerase chain reaction assays were applied to analyse DNA extracts of B bovis vaccine (K, T and Dixie strains) and 27 field isolates from 24 properties where disease outbreaks had occurred despite the use of the vaccine. To evaluate the stability of the genotypes identified, 11 of the field isolates were inoculated into experimental cattle that had either been previously vaccinated with T strain or not vaccinated.


RESULTS
No particular genotype of B bovis was responsible for the problems observed in previously vaccinated herds. None of the isolates had genotypes identical to the vaccine strains used. No geographic trends among the genotypes were observed. Isolates that originated from the same property also had different genotypes. Blood passage of the 11 field isolates in either previously vaccinated or nonvaccinated cattle did not alter the original genotype.


CONCLUSION
No particular genotypes identified by the Bv80 and BvVA1 polymerase chain reaction assays could be associated with vaccine failures.