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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 #423041
Research Project: Control Strategies to Prevent and Respond to Diseases Outbreaks Caused by Avian Influenza Viruses

Location: Exotic & Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research

Title: Avian metapneumovirus subtype A & B isolation and studies on vertical transmission in turkeys.

Author
item Suarez, David
item MO, JONGSUK - Orise Fellow
item BRIGGS, KELSEY - Orise Fellow
item Sweeney, Ryan
item PARKER, MOLLY - Select Genetics
item CARLSON, JAKE - Select Genetics
item Kapczynski, Darrell

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 a widespread avian disease capable of causing respiratory disease and contributing to secondary infections resulting in disease and mortality with serious economic losses and productivity primarily in chickens and turkeys. In 2023, cases of subtype A and B aMPV were reported in commercial chicken and turkey flocks for the first time in the U.S. The virus has been difficult to grow in using standard cell culture methods, but we successfully isolated both A and B viruses on baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells. Through coculture of infected BHK cells and Vero cells we were able to adapt the virus to replicate in Vero cells with observable CPE. The isolated virus was sequenced and made available to APHIS as reference reagents. Currently, a concern for the turkey industry is the possibility of vertical transmission of the virus from hen to poult. In these studies, we confirmed the presence of aMPV in the respiratory tract of infected commercial turkeys and then examined eggs from aMPV-positive laying hens for presence of viral RNA that might suggest vertical transmission of the virus. Eggs from seven different aMPV-positive commercial turkey flocks were harvested and tested for aMPV subtype A and B via RT-qPCR. Results demonstrate no evidence of viral RNA in any of the egg/embryo samples tested, either inside or on the shell surface. These results provide direct evidence that vertical transmission does not appear to contribute to virus dissemination in commercial turkey flocks.