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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Avian Disease and Oncology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #329241
Title: Molecular characterization, phylogeny analysis and pathogenicity of a Muscovy duck adenovirus strain isolated in China in 2014

Author
item ZHANG, XINHENG - South China Agricultural University
item ZHONG, YANGJIN - South China Agricultural University
item ZHOU, ZHENHAI - South China Agricultural University
item LIU, YANG - South China Agricultural University
item Zhang, Huanmin
item CHEN, FENG - South China Agricultural University
item CHEN, WEIGUO - South China Agricultural University
item XIE, QINGMEI - South China Agricultural University

Submitted to: Virology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/7/2016
Publication Date: 3/15/2016
Citation: Zhang, X., Zhong, Y., Zhou, Z., Liu, Y., Zhang, H., Chen, F., Chen, W., Xie, Q. 2016. Molecular characterization, phylogeny analysis and pathogenicity of a Muscovy duck adenovirus strain isolated in China in 2014. Virology. 493(2016):12-21. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2016.03.004.

Interpretive Summary: An aviadenovirus (AdV) strain was isolated from a Muscovy duck flock in China and has been molecularly characterized in research laboratory and challenge trials using both ducks and chickens. AdV infects birds, particularly chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and pheasants resulting in specific disease syndromes including egg drop syndrome. AdV has a worldwide distribution. Findings from this study include molecular characteristics in common between the isolated new strain and a reported strain (91% homology in DNA sequence) as well as distinguishable features in genetics between the strains. This report enriches the knowledge base of avian viruses and may facilitate development of improved strategies to prevent infectious diseases in avian species.

Technical Abstract: This study aimed to characterize a novel adenovirus (AdV) isolated from diseased Muscovy ducks in China. After the AdV was successfully propagated in duck embryo fibroblasts, the morphological and physicochemical properties of the virions were studied by electron microscopy and different tests. The results of the analyses were in conformity with AdV properties. The full genome sequence was determined and analyzed. The new isolate (named CH-GD-12-2014) shared over 91% sequence identity with duck AdV-2 representing the species Duck aviadenovirus B. The most important distinguishing feature between the two DAdV strains was the presence of a second fiber gene in the Chinese isolate. Phylogeny reconstruction confirmed the affiliation of the virus with goose and duck AdVs in the genus Aviadenovirus. Experimental infection resulted in embryo death, and intramuscular inoculation provoked morbidity and mortality among ducks and chickens.