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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Exotic & Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #423007
Research Project: Control Strategies to Prevent and Respond to Diseases Outbreaks Caused by Avian Influenza Viruses

Location: Exotic & Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research

Title: Mapping the genetic diversity of avian metapneumovirus isolated from chicken flocks in the state of Georgia (USA)

Author
item Alvarez Narvaez, Sonsiray
item SARY, KATHLEEN - Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network
item Goraichuk, Iryna
item KULKARNI, ARUN - Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network
item Suarez, David

Submitted to: American Association of Avian Pathologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/28/2025
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) is an important global respiratory pathogen for poultry, primarily affecting turkeys and chickens. Until very recently, subtype C was the only aMPV detected in the United States (U.S.), which was considered an aMPV-free country since the eradication of the last cases of aMPV-C in the early 2000’s. Unfortunately, aMPV subtypes A and B were both introduced into the US in 2023-24, with outbreaks reported in many states. The rapid spread of aMPV in poultry, despite increased biosecurity practices driven by the avian influenza threat, highlights a gap in our epidemiological knowledge regarding these viruses, making preventative methods difficult to be established. To improve our understanding of the genetic characteristics and the transmission of aMPV stains circulating in the US, 68 RT-qPCR positive samples collected between February and June 2024 from 36 farms belonging to 17 poultry production companies across the state of Georgia (U.S.) were subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis. 22 complete or nearly complete genomes were obtained from the sequencing data, all identified as subtype B, and sharing high genetic similarity among themselves and to other American aMPV-B viruses (<99% similarity at nucleotide level). The combination of a phylogenetic analysis and the available metadata revealed genetic clustering by company, with isolates collected from different farms under the same company exhibiting the highest sequence similarity. Additionally, a comprehensive single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis showed enough SNPs between aMPVs from different companies to suggest difference sources of viral introduction, likely from another U.S. source. Overall, this work helps characterize aMPV-B strains isolated in the state of Georgia and will serve to inform the affected companies helping them adapt their biosafety measures for aMPV containment.