Characterization of pigeon paramyxoviruses (Newcastle disease virus) isolated in South Africa from 2001 to 2006

C Abolnik,G H Gerders,J Kitching,M Romito,S Swanepoel,S P.R Bisschop

doi:10.4102/ojvr.v75i2.13

Abstract

Pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1), a variant of Newcastle disease virus that primarily affects doves and pigeons has been isolated in South Africa since the mid-1980s. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 viruses were introduced into South Africa on multiple occasions, based on the presence of two separate lineages, 4bi and 4bii, that have been circulating in Europe and the Far East since the early 1990s. During 2006, a PPMV-1 virus was isolated from an African ground hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) which became acutely infected with PPMV-1 and died, probably after scavenging off infected dove carcasses in the region, since a closely-related PPMV-1 strain was also isolated from doves collected nearby. The hornbill isolate had ICPI and MDT values characteristic of PPMV-1 strains. The threat of PPMV-1 to poultry production and biodiversity in southern Africa highlights the importance of monitoring the spread of this strain.

Highlights

Pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1) is an antigenic variant of avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1; Newcastle disease virus) that was first identified by monoclonal antibody binding studies
Pigeon paramyxoviruses (Newcastle disease virus) isolated in South Africa disease viruses but in most cases, PPMV-1 isolates have increased their virulence for chickens after passage, and represent a threat to poultry production (Alexander & Parsons 1986; King 1996; Kommers, King, Seal & Brown 2001)
Phylogenetic analysis of partial F protein genes indicated that the South African PPMV-1 isolates do not cluster together as a single geographical entity, but instead are split between the two lineages 4bi and 4bii (Fig. 1)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1) is an antigenic variant of avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1; Newcastle disease virus) that was first identified by monoclonal antibody binding studies Pigeon paramyxoviruses (Newcastle disease virus) isolated in South Africa disease viruses but in most cases, PPMV-1 isolates have increased their virulence for chickens after passage, and represent a threat to poultry production (Alexander & Parsons 1986; King 1996; Kommers, King, Seal & Brown 2001). Doves and chickens, PPMV-1 viruses have been isolated from kestrels, falcons, cockatoos, budgerigars, pheasants, swans and a robin (Alexander et al 1985; Lister, Alexander & Hogg 1986; Kaleta 1992b; Werner, Römer-Oberdörfer, Köllner, Manvell & Alexander 1999; Monne, Beato, Capua & Mandola 2006; Aldous et al 2004). The phylogenetic relationships between 21 South African PPMV-1 viruses isolated from doves, pigeons, chickens, a duck and an African ground hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) were investigated, and the pathogenicity of the African ground hornbill isolate for chickens was determined

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

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