Characterization of newcastle disease viruses in wild and domestic birds in Luxembourg from 2006 to 2008

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2013 Jan;79(2):639-45. doi: 10.1128/AEM.02437-12. Epub 2012 Nov 16.

Abstract

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is one of the most important viral diseases of birds. Wild birds constitute a natural reservoir of low-virulence viruses, while poultry are the main reservoir of virulent strains. Exchange of virus between these reservoirs represents a risk for both bird populations. Samples from wild and domestic birds collected between 2006 and 2010 in Luxembourg were analyzed for NDV. Three similar avirulent genotype I strains were found in ducks during consecutive years, suggesting that the virus may have survived and spread locally. However, separate introductions cannot be excluded, because no recent complete F gene sequences of genotype I from other European countries are available. Detection of vaccine-like strains in wild waterbirds suggested the spread of vaccine strains, despite the nonvaccination policy in Luxembourg. Among domestic birds, only one chicken was positive for a genotype II strain differing from the LaSota vaccine and exhibiting a so-far-unrecognized fusion protein cleavage site of predicted low virulence. Three genotype VI strains from pigeons were the only virulent strains found. The circulation of NDV in wild and free-ranging domestic birds warrants continuous surveillance because of increased concern that low-virulence wild-bird viruses could become more virulent in domestic populations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic
  • Animals, Wild
  • Bird Diseases / virology*
  • Birds
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Genotype
  • Luxembourg
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Newcastle Disease / virology*
  • Newcastle disease virus / classification*
  • Newcastle disease virus / genetics
  • Newcastle disease virus / isolation & purification*
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • RNA, Viral

Associated data

  • GENBANK/HE972209
  • GENBANK/HE972210
  • GENBANK/HE972211
  • GENBANK/HE972212
  • GENBANK/HE972213
  • GENBANK/HE972214
  • GENBANK/HE972215
  • GENBANK/HE972216
  • GENBANK/HE972217