The complete genome sequence of a new fowl adenovirus (Fadv-4) strain from a recent outbreak in a chicken farm in Iran.

The whole genomic sequence of fowl adenovirus C (FAdV-4) strain FAdV-4/Pasouk, isolated from chickens with hepatitis-hydropericardium syndrome (HHS) from an outbreak in Iran, has been deposited in GenBank under accession number ON652872. Notably, this FAdV-4 isolate exhibited significant genetic similarities to contemporary isolates originating from China, indicating a shared ancestry.

Comparison of HVT-ND recombinant and convection-based Newcastle disease vaccination programs in the protection against the genotype VII NDV challenges: an experimental study.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) belongs to the Avulavirus genus and Paramyxoviridae family virus that causes acute, highly infectious Newcastle disease in poultry. The two proteins of haemagglutinin neuraminidase (HN) and fusion (F) are key virulence factors with an important role in its immunogenicity. Genotype VII NDV is still among the most serious viral hazards to the poultry industry worldwide. In this study, a commercial vector vaccine (HVT-NDV) was evaluated compared to the conventional vaccination strategy against Iranian genotype VII. This experiment showed that the group receiving the conventional vaccination strategy had higher antibodies, fewer clinical signs, and lower viral loads in tracheal swabs and feces. Also, two vaccine groups showed significant difference, which could have resulted from two extra vaccine doses in the conventional group. However, except for antibody levels in commercial chickens in the Iran new-generation vaccine, this difference was minor. Further, both groups showed 100% protection in the challenge study. Despite the phylogenetic gap between the NDV-F gene placed in the vector vaccine and the challenge virus (genotypes I and VII, respectively), the rHVT-NDV vaccine offered strong clinical protection and decreased challenge virus shedding considerably.

Whole-genome characterization of avian picornaviruses from diarrheic broiler chickens co-infected with multiple picornaviruses in Iran.

Gastrointestinal symptoms in poultry are caused by several factors, such as infecting viruses. Several avian picornaviruses can cause diarrhea in these valuable animals. Poultry flocks in Iran suffer from gastrointestinal diseases, and information on picornaviruses is limited. In this study, two genera of avian picornaviruses were isolated from poultry and identified by the viral metagenomics. Fecal samples were collected from broiler chicken flocks affected with diarrhea from Gilan province Iran. The results showed that Eastern chicken flocks carried two genera of picornaviridae belonging to Sicinivirus A (SiV A) and Megrivirus C (MeV C). The Western chicken flocks carried SiV A based on whole-genome sequencing data. SiV A had type II IRES and MeV C contained a type IVB IRES 5'UTR. Phylogenetic results showed that all these three picornaviruses were similar to the Hungarian isolates. Interestingly, two different picornavirus genera were simultaneously co-infected with Eastern flocks. This phenomenon could increase and facilitate the recombination and evolution rate of picornaviruses and consequently cause this diversity of gastrointestinal diseases in poultry. This is the first report and complete genome sequencing of Sicinivirus and Megrivirus in Iran. Further studies are needed to evaluate the pathogenic potential of these picornaviruses.

Phylogenetic analysis and genotyping of Iranian infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) based on the glycoprotein gene.

BACKGROUND: Infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN) is known as one of the most contagious systemic viral diseases in salmonids which can lead to significant mortality rates and negative impacts on the salmonid farming industry. Infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) was first detected in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farms in Iran in 2003. OBJECTIVES: We conducted the present study to determine the detection of IHN genotypes in rainbow trout (O. mykiss) in farms in the central parts of Iran, using molecular and phylogenetic techniques. METHODS: Samples were collected from fries exhibiting clinical signs such as darkening of the skin, abdominal swelling, and loss of appetite. Phylogenetic analysis was performed by the neighbour-joining method, using MEGA 5.1 software. For phylogenetic analysis and genotyping of IHNV from central parts of Iran, the sequences of the glycoprotein gene were determined for two Iranian isolates (Jahad-UT1 and Jahad-UT2). RESULTS: Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the detected strains (Jahad-UT1 and Jahad-UT2 isolates) are closely related (97.23%-100%) to European isolates within genogroup 'E'. CONCLUSIONS: This finding indicates that Jahad-UT1 and Jahad-UT2 isolates have been widely transferred to Iran from European countries. Moreover, the nucleotide diversity of these Iranian isolates showed a close relationship with the North American and Asian isolates, although the Iranian isolates were collected from a smaller geographical area and within a shorter time period between 2014 and 2015.

Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Marek's Disease Virus in Iran.

Marek's disease (MD) is a highly contagious, lymphoproliferative poultry disease caused by the oncogenic herpesvirus, serotype 1 Marek's disease virus (MDV-1), or Gallid herpesvirus 2 (GaHV-2). MDV strains have shown a continued evolution of virulence leading to immune failure, and MD cases continue to occur or surge. Meq, the major MDV-1 oncoprotein, induces T-cell neoplastic transformation through several mechanisms including inhibition of apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and serum-anchorage independent growth. There is no current information on the MDV serotypes and pathotypes circulating in vaccinated commercial farms in Iran, where the birds are vaccinated at the hatchery with GaHV-2 and Meleagrid herpesvirus 1 (MeHV-1) vaccines. This study reports the molecular characterization of a GaHV-2 strain detected in 19 flocks of Iranian layer farms exhibiting MDV-1-like clinical signs and visceral lymphomas. Based on sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the Meq gene, the Iranian GaHV-2 isolates could be divided into two separate clades regarding molecular features. The clade containing strains was closely related to Italian, Indian, and Hungarian virulent isolates, and the clade was related to American very virulent plus (vv+) isolates. For the first time, the MDV-1 virus was characterized by an outbreak in poultry flocks in Iran. Although MDV-1 strains obtained in Iran's present outbreak are presumably related to virulent (v) and vv+ pathotypes based on nucleotide, amino acid, and phylogenetic analysis of the viruses, they are not confirmed so far. Thus, it is highly recommended to perform further analyses to demonstrate the pathotype characteristics in vivo.

Caracterización molecular y análisis filogenético del virus de la enfermedad de Marek en Irán. La enfermedad de Marek (MD) es una enfermedad altamente contagiosa linfoproliferativa en la avicultura causada por el herpesvirus oncogénico, el virus de la enfermedad de Marek de serotipo 1 (MDV-1) o Gallid herpesvirus 2 (GaHV-2). Las cepas del virus de Marek han mostrado una evolución continua de virulencia que conduce a una falla inmunológica, y los casos de Marek continúan ocurriendo o aumentando. El gene Meq, codifica la principal oncoproteína de MDV-1, induce la transformación neoplásica de células T a través de varios mecanismos que incluyen la inhibición de la apoptosis, la regulación del ciclo celular y el crecimiento independiente del anclaje sérico. No hay información actual sobre los serotipos y patotipos del virus de Marek que circulan en las granjas comerciales vacunadas en Irán, donde las aves se vacunan en la planta de incubación con las vacunas GaHV-2 y Meleagrid herpesvirus 1 (MeHV-1). Este estudio reporta la caracterización molecular de una cepa del Gallid herpesvirus 2 detectada en 19 lotes de granjas de aves de postura iraníes que presentaron signos clínicos sugestivos del serotipo 1 del virus de la enfermedad de Marek y linfomas viscerales. Según la secuenciación y el análisis filogenético del gene Meq, los aislamientos iraníes de GaHV-2 podrían dividirse en dos clados separados con respecto a las características moleculares. El clado que contenía las cepas estaba estrechamente relacionado con los aislados virulentos de Italia, India y de Hungria y el clado estaba relacionado con los aislados americanos muy virulentos plus (vv+). Por primera vez, el serotipo 1 del virus de la enfermedad de Marek se caracterizó por un brote en parvadas avícolas en Irán. Aunque las cepas del virus de Marek, serotipo 1 obtenidas en el brote actual de Irán están presuntamente relacionadas con patotipos virulentos (v) y muy virulentos plus según el análisis de nucleótidos, aminoácidos y filogenético de los virus, hasta el momento no se han confirmado. Por lo tanto, se recomienda realizar más análisis para demostrar las características del patotipo in vivo.

Complete genome sequence of Himetobi P strain Sh.Moghaddam, isolated from the Laodelphax striatellus (small brown planthopper).

OBJECTIVE: Himetobi P virus (HiPV) is an insect virus belonging to the genus Cripavirus in the Dicistroviridae family within the Picornavirales order. Himetobi P strain. Sh.Moghaddam is the first study reported, was isolated from the Laodelphax striatellus (small brown planthopper) of an internal chicken organ in Iran. DATA DESCRIPTION: Genomic analysis showed a nucleotide identity of 93.16% with the family Dicistroviridae, genus Triatovirus, and species Himetobi P. The genome assembly comprised 9227 bp, with a 38.8% GC content. Annotation of the genome showed 2 ORF, a total of 2 genes: including 2 coding sequences (CDs) (total) and 8 Miss features. Thus, the whole-genome sequence presented in this study serves as a platform for detecting new genes that may contribute to the pathogenicity of the Himetobi P strain. Sh.Moghaddam.

Phylogenetic analyses on Marek's disease virus circulating in Iranian backyard and commercial poultry indicate viruses of different origin.

As neoplastic viruses have been affecting Iranian chicken farms more frequently in recent years, the first step in prevention may therefore be to genetically characterize and systematically identify their source and origin. Recently, we published a phylogenetic analysis based on the meq gene of Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2, commonly known as serotype 1 Marek's disease virus (MDV-1), that circulated in Iranian backyard and commercial chickens. In the current study, we are reporting for the first time the identification of a 298 aa meq protein containing only two PPPP motifs from an MDV-1-infected unvaccinated backyard turkey. This protein length has never been reported from any turkey species before. According to phylogenetic analysis, a close genetic relationship (0.68%) to several chicken-origin isolates such as the American vv + 648A strain was found. In addition, we identified a standard meq protein from a MDV-1-infected commercial chicken farm. In corroboration with our previous finding from other Iranian provinces, it is likely that the highly identical MDV-1 viruses currently circulating in Iranian chicken farms, which may be indicative of human role in the spread of the virus, have similar Eurasian origin. Our data suggest that regardless of the meq size, MDV-1 circulating in Iran are from different origins. On the other hand, meq sequences from bird species other than chicken have been reported but are very few. Our investigation suggests MDV-1 circulating in turkey do not have species-specific sequences.

Comparative trachea transcriptome analysis in SPF broiler chickens infected with avian infectious bronchitis and avian influenza viruses.

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and avian influenza virus (AIV) are two major respiratory infections in chickens. The coinfection of these viruses can cause significant financial losses and severe complications in the poultry industry across the world. To examine transcriptome profile changes during the early stages of infection, differential transcriptional profiles in tracheal tissue of three infected groups (i.e., IBV, AIV, and coinfected) were compared with the control group. Specific-pathogen-free chickens were challenged with Iranian variant-2-like IBV (IS/1494), UT-Barin isolates of H9N2 (A/chicken/Mashhad/UT-Barin/2017), and IBV-AIV coinfection; then, RNA was extracted from tracheal tissue. The Illumina RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) technique was employed to investigate changes in the Transcriptome. Up- and downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in the trachea transcriptome of all groups. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway and Gene Ontology databases were examined to identify possible relationships between DEGs. In the experimental groups, upregulated genes were higher compared to downregulated genes. A more severe immune response was observed in the coinfected group; further, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, RIG-I-like receptor signaling, Toll-like receptor signaling, NOD-like receptor signaling, Janus kinase/signal transducer, and activator of transcription, and apoptotic pathways were important upregulated genes in this group. The findings of this paper may give a better understanding of transcriptome changes in the trachea during the early stages of infection with these viruses.

Evaluation of viral load and transcriptome changes in tracheal tissue of two hybrids of commercial broiler chickens infected with avian infectious bronchitis virus: a comparative study.

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is one of the major threats to the poultry industry, with significant economic consequences. Despite strict measures, the disease is difficult to control worldwide. Experimental evidence demonstrates that the severity of IBV is affected by the genetic background of the chicken, and the selection of appropriate breeds can increase production efficiency. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the strength of the immune response to IBV in tracheal tissues of Ross 308 and Cobb 500 broiler chickens by evaluating transcriptome changes, focusing on immune responses and the viral load in tracheal tissues two days after IBV infection. We identified 899 and 1350 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the Cobb 500 and Ross 308 experimental groups compared to their respective control groups. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis indicated the involvement of signaling pathways (Toll-like receptor [TLR], NOD-like receptor [NLR], and RIG-I-like receptor [RLR] signaling pathways). Interestingly, the RLR signaling pathway appears to be affected only in the Cobb hybrid. Furthermore, the viral loads in tracheal samples obtained from the Ross challenged group were significantly higher than those of the Cobb challenged group. The results of this study indicated that the host transcriptional response to IBV infection as well as the viral load can differ by hybrid. Furthermore, genes such as TLR-3, ChIFN-α, MDA5, LGP2, IRF-7, NF-κB, and TRIM25 may interfere with IBV proliferation.

Wild bird trade at live poultry markets potentiates risks of avian influenza virus introductions in Iran.

Wild aquatic birds are the main natural host reservoir of avian influenza viruses (AIV). Migratory aquatic birds can translocate AI viruses over wide geographic distances. AIV may be transmitted reciprocally at the wild bird-poultry interface, increasing viral variability and potentially driving the zoonotic potential of these viruses. A cross-sectional study on AIV and several further avian viral pathogens conducted in 396 trapped migratory aquatic birds traded at live bird markets (LBM) in northern Iran identified 11 AIV-positive cases. The 10 identified H9N2 viral sequences fell into wild bird H9 lineage Y439; in addition, an H10N3 virus of Eurasian lineage was detected. Ten samples contained low viral loads of avian coronavirus but could not be further characterized. Although traditional trading of live-trapped wild birds provides income for hunters, particularly during fall migration periods, it increases the risk of introducing new AIV strains from the natural reservoir to poultry kept at LBMs and, potentially, to traders and customers. Banning these birds from poultry trading lines would lower such risks considerably.

The tracheal virome of broiler chickens with respiratory disease complex in Iran: the metagenomics study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Avian respiratory disease complex (RDC) is one of the most detrimental economic diseases that affected different parts of the world. Various pathogens cause the disease, but the most significant viral pathogens include avian influenza virus (AIV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) are the most prevalent. To detect these pathogens, various methods have been discovered in the last decades. Detection and characterization of viruses by metagenomics methods have improved our knowledge about the role of virome in the avian complex respiratory disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research investigates the viral pathogen populations that mostly participate in emerging these diseases using the NGS method RNA-sequencing. In surveillance of ten broiler farms from different cities with respiratory symptoms, trachea samples were collected to determine the pathogenic virome causing the disease. RESULTS: In this metagenomics analysis, nine viral families were identified, comprising 72.82% of RNA viruses, 24.32% of RT viruses, and 2.86% of DNA viruses. RNA viruses had the highest contribution to the respiratory disease complex instead of disease, including paramyxoviridae, orthomyxoviridae, coronaviridae, and picornaviridae viruses. Other viruses from the RNA viruses and DNA virus families were also identified in addition to these results. CONCLUSION: This research suggests that studies of pathogenic viromes in different diseases can help monitor different diseases and predict their future occurrence.

Predominance of Fourth Panzootic Newcastle Disease Virus Subgenotype VII.1.1 in Iran and Its Relation to the Genotypes Circulating in the Region.

Following recent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) outbreaks in Iranian poultry farms which were mostly associated with lesions of the avian gastrointestinal tract, it was speculated that the scale of the outbreaks could be attributed in part to co-circulating infectious agents or a new NDV genotype/subgenotype. This speculation was due to the isolation of a few 5th panzootic subgenotype VII.2 viruses from Iranian poultry farms in 2017. Samples from different species of commercial and domestic birds were collected from different provinces of Iran, 19 of which were selected for the current study. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the recent outbreaks have been caused by only one agent, i.e. the distinctive NDV subgenotype VII.1.1 (previously known VIIl) viruses that seem to be circulating predominantly in Iran, but have also been sporadically reported from Iraq among neighbouring countries. At most, 96.3-96.7% BLAST identity to non-Iranian VII.1.1 isolates was observed. Genetic distance values of <1% were indicative of high similarity between the isolates, but the values were approaximately 2% when the current isolates were compared to the earliest recorded Iranian VII.1.1 viruses isolated in 2010. Using Bayesian analysis, annual mutation rates of 1.7156E-3 (strict) and 1.9902E-3 (relaxed) over 11 years were obtained. In addition, we report that our laboratories have not detected any genotype XIII strains since 2011. Following up on previous reports, we concluded that currently, and except in Columbiforms, subgenotype VII.1.1 may likely be the predominant subgenotype in many bird species in Iran despite the subgenotype VII.2 being predominant in neighbouring countries.

Effects of a combination of Mass and Dutch variant as an inactivated vaccine against variant 2 avian infectious bronchitis virus challenge.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of inactivated vaccines combining Mass and Dutch variants as vaccine boosters after H120 priming on inhibiting variant 2 viral load in the kidneys (as the target organ) and reducing fecal shedding. Ciliostasis score and antibody response were investigated as well. A total of 150 specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chicken were divided into six groups. All groups were vaccinated with a single dose of attenuated H120 vaccine except for two (no vaccine groups). Then, three groups received booster vaccines with inactivated polyvalent vaccines. At the 42 day of age, all groups were challenged with variant 2 viruses except for one (no vaccine group). Next, antibody response and infectious bronchitis virus viral load in kidneys and fecal shedding were evaluated by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Then the ciliostasis score was investigated. In general, a vaccination program including a mass serotype attenuated vaccine (H120) as priming and polyvalent vaccines can significantly protect chickens against variant 2 infection through reducing viral load in kidneys and fecal shedding. Furthermore, the vaccination program can decrease ciliostasis in the epithelial ciliary tissue.

Transcriptome based analysis of apoptosis genes in chickens co-infected with avian infectious bronchitis virus and pathogenic Escherichia coli.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Infection with Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is an important respiratory infection worldwide. Apoptosis is a physiological process of cell death that occurs as part of normal development and responds to a variety of physiological and pathophysiological stimuli. The identification of molecular mechanisms of action or inaction of key apoptotic proteins is important. This study aimed to investigate apoptotic related genes in the trachea tissue of infected (IBV variant 2, and APEC serotype O78: K80) SPF chickens group compared to the control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty SPF chickens was divided into 2 groups. Differential transcriptional profile in the infected SPF chickens trachea tissue was compared to those of control group in the early stage of infection by Illumina RNA-seq technique paired-end and strand-specific sequencing. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of transcriptome profiling of the trachea from the infected group were identified. Gene ontology category, KEGG pathway, and STRING analysis were analyzed to identify relationships among differentially expressed genes. RESULTS: Twenty-eight apoptotic genes were identified. They consisted of six pathways related to cell death: the extrinsic pathway, intrinsic pathway, endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and cell death by NFkB and activates mTOR pathway and some regulator and apoptosis inhibitors. CONCLUSION: All of the apoptotic genes in our study were up-regulated. Among these genes, the more fold change value was for TRADD and BCL2A1 genes, and the less fold change value was for MAP3K14, NFKB1, PIK3CB, and ITPR2 genes.

Coronavirus: proteomics analysis of chicken kidney tissue infected with variant 2 (IS-1494)-like avian infectious bronchitis virus.

Avian infectious bronchitis virus is one of the most important gammacoronaviruses, which causes a highly contagious disease. In this study, we investigated changes in the proteome of kidney tissue of specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens that were infected with an isolate of the nephrotropic variant 2 genotype (IS/1494/06) of avian coronavirus. Twenty 1-day-old SPF White Leghorn chickens were randomly divided into two groups, each comprising 10 chickens, which were kept in separate positive-pressure isolators. Chickens in group A served as a virus-free control group up to the end of the experiment, whereas chickens in group B were inoculated with 0.1 ml of 104.5 EID50 of the IBV/chicken/Iran/UTIVO-C/2014 isolate of IBV, and kidney tissue samples were collected at 2 and 7 days post-inoculation (dpi) from both groups. Sequencing of five protein spots at 2 dpi and 22 spots at 7 dpi that showed differential expression by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) along with fold change greater than 2 was done by MS-MALDI/TOF/TOF. Furthermore, the corresponding protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks at 2 and 7 dpi were identified to develop a detailed understanding of the mechanism of molecular pathogenesis. Topological graph analysis of this undirected PPI network revealed the effect of 10 genes in the 2 dpi PPI network and nine genes in the 7 dpi PPI network during virus pathogenesis. Proteins that were found by 2DE analysis and MS/TOF-TOF mass spectrometry to be down- or upregulated were subjected to PPI network analysis to identify interactions with other cellular components. The results show that cellular metabolism was altered due to viral infection. Additionally, multifunctional heat shock proteins with a significant role in host cell survival may be employed circuitously by the virus to reach its target. The data from this study suggest that the process of pathogenesis that occurs during avian coronavirus infection involves the regulation of vital cellular processes and the gradual disruption of critical cellular functions.

Complete genome sequence of a subgenotype XXI.1.1 pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 virus (PPMV­1) isolated from Iran in 2018 and phylogenetic analysis of a possible novel, but unassigned, PPMV-1 group isolated in 2014.

Newcastle disease (ND) is one of the most serious infectious and contagious viral diseases in avian species. Recently, several ND outbreaks in pigeon caused by pigeon paramyxovirus serotype-1 (PPMV-1) have been reported from Iran, but unfortunately, phylogenetic studies have been mostly conducted on partial sequence of NDV fusion (F) gene. In addition, a complete genome data of Iranian PPMV-1 strains are not available. In the present study, a PPMV-1, named Avian avulavirus 1/pigeon/Iran/UT-EGV/2018, isolated from an infected pigeon, was subjected to whole-genome sequencing. The isolate showed an MDT of 74 h, thus categorizing it as mesogenic. The phylogenetic analysis based on the F gene sequence revealed the isolate belongs to XXI.1.1 subgenotype (min 0.9 % and max 3 %). To our knowledge, our study is the first study to publish the complete genome of a PPMV-1 from Iran. According to BLAST results, the whole genome of UT-EGV had high homology with some Russian, Egyptian and Ukrainian strains (the highest was 96.55 %). Additionally, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis on five PPMV-1 that we isolated in 2014 to find that they may belong to a completely unreported subgenotype (6 % distance when compared as a group). The information obtained from this study can be useful in preventive measures, including constructing an effective vaccine against PPMV-1 in Iran.

Evaluation of inactivated vaccine of the variant 2 (IS-1494 /GI-23) genotype of avian infectious bronchitis.

The infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is the cause of avian infectious bronchitis (IB). IB is one of the most highly contagious diseases, which results in many economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. The nature of this virus is such that it generates new genotypes continuously. Proper vaccination is the most suitable way of combatting IB. One of the novel genotypes of IBV, which has been circulating in the Middle Eastern countries, is the variant 2 (IS-1494/GI-23) genotype. This study aims to design and produce an autogenous variant 2 vaccines. After isolation and characterization of the Iranian variant 2, the inactivated vaccine was formulated according to the OIE guidelines, and its different aspects (Purity, titration, inactivation, immunization) were evaluated. The designed vaccine passed all of OIE quality control standards. In the assessment process, the protection rate in the groups receiving the variant 2 and commercial vaccines was 67 % and 60 %, respectively. Although the differences were not significant, they indicated better protection, and the viral load in the feces and the kidney of the group receiving the variant 2 vaccine was lower than that in the commercial vaccine. It is suggested that the variant2 strain should be added as one of the local strains to the commercial inactivated vaccines in areas affected by this genotype. The use of this vaccine in layer and breeder flocks can help to protect them against variant 2 during the production phase. Also, the transfer of maternal antibodies to offspring can provide strain-specific immunity for one-day-old chickens.

The first full genome characterization of an Iranian foot and mouth disease virus.

High transmissibility of FMDV and drop in productivity following infection, make FMD an important economically disease of livestock. According to the endemic nature of the disease in Iran, vaccines have been routinely applied, but not able to prevent frequent outbreaks. Circulation of different FMDV types in Iran along with unrestricted animal movements complicates epidemiological situations. The relatively short length of VP1 does not provide high resolution molecular epidemiological data, therefore FMDV full genome sequencing has been employed. Outbreaks of FMD occurred in Qom province, Iran during 2017. A 8190 nucleotide-long FMDV complete genome was sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the virus into Asia 1 serotype. Complete genome analysis revealed a high level of homology of the virus to Asia 1 viruses previously detected in Turkey, India, Israel, and Pakistan. The data suggest that Asia 1/Shimi/2017 probably originated from India, have circulating in Iran since the last couple of years and reached Turkey in 2013. The results highlight the role of Iran in westward spreading of FMDV among South-central Asia, hinting the urgent need for an effective vaccine against Asia 1 type FMDV and also applying restriction rules on animal movements.

Molecular characterization of avian reovirus causing tenosynovitis outbreaks in broiler flocks, Iran.

Avian reoviruses (ARVs) cause arthritis, tenosynovitis, retarded growth, and malabsorption syndrome. After a long time of effective prevention and low rates of viral arthritis/ tenosynovitis in Iran, outbreaks of tenosynovitis in broiler flocks have increased in recent years. Lameness, splay legs, high rate of cull birds, poor performance, uneven birds at harvest, and condemnation at processing cause huge economic losses. In this study, ARVs from the tendons of birds from 23 broiler flocks with marked tenosynovitis were characterized, and their genetic relationship was examined. Analysis of the amino acid sequence of Sigma C protein revealed that all ARVs detected in affected broiler flocks shared genetic homogeneity and this suggests that a single genotype is involved in recent outbreaks. This genotype, so-called "Ardehal strain", is grouped in cluster I with vaccine strains. The amino acid sequence similarity between Ardehal and vaccine strains, including S1133, 1733, and 2408 was less than 80%. As the outbreaks have occurred in progenies of vaccinated flocks, it is proposed here that the difference between vaccine and field strains might contribute to the failure of currently available vaccines to induce protective immunity against Ardehal strain and this led to widespread viral tenosynovitis in Iran.