Detection, Quantification and Molecular Characterization of Fowl Adenoviruses Circulating in Ecuadorian Chicken Flocks during 2019-2021.

Fowl adenoviruses are a group of pathogens that cause large economic losses worldwide in the poultry industry, in addition to producing a wide range of diseases, such as IBH, HHS, and enteric and respiratory diseases. The objective of this study was to quantify, identify, and molecularly characterize the types of FAdV circulating in commercial poultry farms (broilers, breeders, and layers) in Ecuador from 2019 to 2021. Molecular characterization was performed by PCR, quantification by qPCR, and subsequent sequencing for each positive sample. The results indicated that the FAdV genotypes circulating in our country are FAdV-2/D2, FAdV-6/E1, FAdV-8a/E2, and FAdV-11/D3; the samples were grouped into different groups that contain sequences that were obtained from countries in Africa, Asia, and America, and that are found in birds at different ages, since early age where can cause different clinical signs, such as diarrhea, ruffled feathers and dwarfism. Therefore, these results indicate that several genotypes of the virus are circulating in commercial poultry flocks, suggesting that biosecurity measures on farms should be improved, in addition to carrying out new or improved vaccination plans.

Identification of four serotypes of fowl adenovirus in clinically affected commercial poultry co-infected with chicken infectious anaemia virus in Trinidad and Tobago.

Fowl adenovirus (FAdV), which causes the high-impact diseases such as inclusion body hepatitis and hepatitis-hydropericardium syndrome, is of major concern to the poultry industry internationally. This study was carried out in direct response to mortality rates of up to 75% in commercial broiler flocks in Trinidad, West Indies. Symptoms in 3- to 8-week-old broilers and 13- to 18-week-old pullets pointed to infection with an immunosuppressive viral pathogen. The objectives of the study were to determine whether the infectious agent FAdV, along with other viral pathogens, was responsible for the clinical disease, and to obtain information on the serotypes of FAdV that were infecting the birds. Tissue samples from clinically affected birds from eight different farms were tested for chicken infectious anaemia virus (CIAV) and infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and for FAdV by conventional PCR. The birds tested positive for FAdV and CIAV, but negative for IBDV. The gene corresponding to the L1 loop of the hexon protein for FAdV was amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of seven FAdV strains inferred that four serotypes were likely to be circulating in the chickens. Well supported genetic relatedness was observed for serotype 8a (97.8%), 8b (97.8%), 9 (95.8%) and 11 (98.8%-99.5%). This is the first published report from Trinidad and Tobago on the presence and circulation of pathogenic FAdV strains, in combination with CIAV, in poultry. The data demonstrate a possible need for the introduction of serotype-specific vaccines against FAdV, as well as vaccines against CIAV, in broilers in the region and emphasize the importance of maintaining high levels of biosecurity on farms to prevent the spread of these potentially devastating viruses between farms.

Enteric Virus Diversity Examined by Molecular Methods in Brazilian Poultry Flocks.

Enteric viruses play an important role in the Brazilian poultry industry due to the economic impact of resulting low yields of broilers, layers, and breeders. The most common enteric viruses affecting commercial flocks in Brazil include Fowl Adenovirus of group I (FAdV-I), Chicken Parvovirus (ChPV), Chicken Astrovirus (CAstV), Avian Nephritis Virus (ANV), Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV), Avian Reovirus (AReo), and Avian Rotavirus (ARtV). The aim of this study was to identify single and multiple infections using data obtained from 270 samples from eleven Brazilian states, corresponding to the period between 2010 and 2017. This was accompanied by an analysis of the relationship between the age of birds, clinical signs, and geographical distribution, using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Reverse Transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) techniques. Twenty-five profiles of virus combinations were detected. Single infections were encountered in 86.3% of samples, and multiple infections were present in the remaining 13.7%. Both single and multiple infections affected all kinds of commercial chickens with digestive problems, stunting syndrome, decreases in egg and meat production, increased mortality, and respiratory signs. FAdV-I, ChPV, CAstV, ANV, and ARtV were mostly detected in young broilers, in contrast with IBV, which was detected in hens from one to greater than 51 weeks of age. These results exhibit the complexity of enteric diseases and the still poorly understood role of each pathogen as a unique etiological agent.

A Review of Eight High-Priority, Economically Important Viral Pathogens of Poultry within the Caribbean Region.

Viral pathogens cause devastating economic losses in poultry industries worldwide. The Caribbean region, which boasts some of the highest rates of poultry consumption in the world, is no exception. This review summarizes evidence for the circulation and spread of eight high-priority, economically important poultry viruses across the Caribbean region. Avian influenza virus (AIV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV), avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), fowl adenovirus group 1 (FADV Gp1), and egg drop syndrome virus (EDSV) were selected for review. This review of serological, molecular, and phylogenetic studies across Caribbean countries reveals evidence for sporadic outbreaks of respiratory disease caused by notifiable viral pathogens (AIV, IBV, NDV, and ILTV), as well as outbreaks of diseases caused by immunosuppressive viral pathogens (IBDV and FADV Gp1). This review highlights the need to strengthen current levels of surveillance and reporting for poultry diseases in domestic and wild bird populations across the Caribbean, as well as the need to strengthen the diagnostic capacity and capability of Caribbean national veterinary diagnostic laboratories.

Fowl adenovirus Group I as a causal agent of inclusion body hepatitis/hydropericardium syndrome (IBH/HPS) outbreak in brazilian broiler flocks / Adenovirus aviário Ggrupo I como um agente causal da síndrome da hepatite por corpúsculo de inclusão/hidropericárdio (IBH/HPS) em lotes de frangos de corte

Commercial broiler flocks from a farm located in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, presented diarrhea, depression, increased mortality and poor weight gain. Upon post-mortem examination, classical signs of Inclusion Body Hepatitis/Hydropericardium Syndrome (IBH/HPS) were observed, including enlarged pale yellow-colored livers and straw-colored liquid in the pericardial sac. In addition, gross lesions were also observed in the kidneys, pancreas, thymus, intestines and gallbladder. Samples of these organs were analyzed by PCR for the detection of the hexon gene of the Fowl Adenovirus (FAdVs) Group I. The results were positive for both flocks (A and B) assayed by PCR. The macroscopic lesions associated with the detection of FAdV Group I by PCR in several of these affected organs allowed for the identification of IBH/HPS. In fact, this is the first report in Brazil of IBH/HPS in broilers, which identifies FAdVs group I as a causal agent of the disease. These findings may contribute to the worldwide epidemiology of the adenovirus-mediated hepatitis/hydropericardium syndrome...

Lotes comerciais de frangos de uma granja localizada no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, apresentavam diarreia, depressão, aumento de mortalidade e baixo ganho de peso. Após o exame post-mortem, sinais clássicos da síndrome de hepatite por corpúsculo de inclusão/hidropericárdio (IBH/HPS) foram observados incluindo hepatomegalia com aspecto amarelado pálido e líquido de coloração amarelo palha no saco pericárdio. Além disso, as alterações macroscópicas foram também observadas nos rins, pâncreas, timo, intestinos e vesícula biliar. Amostras destes órgãos foram analisadas pela técnica de PCR para detectar o adenovírus aviário do grupo I através do gene Hexon. Os resultados foram positivos para ambos os lotes (A e B) utilizando-se a técnica de PCR. As lesões macroscópicas associadas à detecção do adenovírus aviário do grupo I pela técnica de PCR em vários destes órgãos acometidos permitiu a identificação da síndrome de hepatite/hidropericárdio em frangos no Brasil. Ao nosso conhecimento, este é a primeira descrição da síndrome de hepatite/hidropericárdio causado por adenovírus aviário do grupo I, no Brasil. Estes achados podem contribuir com a epidemiologia mundial do adenovírus mediando a síndrome de hepatite/hidropericárdio...

Fowl adenovirus Group I as a causal agent of inclusion body hepatitis/hydropericardium syndrome (IBH/HPS) outbreak in brazilian broiler flocks / Adenovirus aviário Ggrupo I como um agente causal da síndrome da hepatite por corpúsculo de inclusão/hidropericárdio (IBH/HPS) em lotes de frangos de corte

Commercial broiler flocks from a farm located in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, presented diarrhea, depression, increased mortality and poor weight gain. Upon post-mortem examination, classical signs of Inclusion Body Hepatitis/Hydropericardium Syndrome (IBH/HPS) were observed, including enlarged pale yellow-colored livers and straw-colored liquid in the pericardial sac. In addition, gross lesions were also observed in the kidneys, pancreas, thymus, intestines and gallbladder. Samples of these organs were analyzed by PCR for the detection of the hexon gene of the Fowl Adenovirus (FAdVs) Group I. The results were positive for both flocks (A and B) assayed by PCR. The macroscopic lesions associated with the detection of FAdV Group I by PCR in several of these affected organs allowed for the identification of IBH/HPS. In fact, this is the first report in Brazil of IBH/HPS in broilers, which identifies FAdVs group I as a causal agent of the disease. These findings may contribute to the worldwide epidemiology of the adenovirus-mediated hepatitis/hydropericardium syndrome.(AU)

Lotes comerciais de frangos de uma granja localizada no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, apresentavam diarreia, depressão, aumento de mortalidade e baixo ganho de peso. Após o exame post-mortem, sinais clássicos da síndrome de hepatite por corpúsculo de inclusão/hidropericárdio (IBH/HPS) foram observados incluindo hepatomegalia com aspecto amarelado pálido e líquido de coloração amarelo palha no saco pericárdio. Além disso, as alterações macroscópicas foram também observadas nos rins, pâncreas, timo, intestinos e vesícula biliar. Amostras destes órgãos foram analisadas pela técnica de PCR para detectar o adenovírus aviário do grupo I através do gene Hexon. Os resultados foram positivos para ambos os lotes (A e B) utilizando-se a técnica de PCR. As lesões macroscópicas associadas à detecção do adenovírus aviário do grupo I pela técnica de PCR em vários destes órgãos acometidos permitiu a identificação da síndrome de hepatite/hidropericárdio em frangos no Brasil. Ao nosso conhecimento, este é a primeira descrição da síndrome de hepatite/hidropericárdio causado por adenovírus aviário do grupo I, no Brasil. Estes achados podem contribuir com a epidemiologia mundial do adenovírus mediando a síndrome de hepatite/hidropericárdio.(AU)

Regulation of T lymphocyte subpopulations in specific pathogen-free chickens following experimental fowl adenovirus-VIII infection

Two-day-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens were divided into two groups. Group I was inoculated orally with fowl adenovirus VIII (FAV-VIII). Group II served as a negative control. Chickens were investigated at various days post-inoculation (dpi) by flow cytometric analysis for changes in T lymphocyte subpopulations in immune system and blood. In the thymus, CD3+ T lymphocytes were increased at 25 dpi, with significant increases in the FAV infected noted at 1, 12, 20dpi (p<0.05). This was accompanied by a corresponding increase of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. In the spleen, CD3+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes were increased significantly at 30 dpi (p<0.01) whereas CD8+ and TCR γ δ+ T lymphocytes were decreased at 1 (p<0.05), 30 dpi (p<0.01). An increase of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes was noticed in peripheral blood, and accompanied by a decrease of TCR γ δ+ T lymphocytes. These results demonstrated that infection with FAV-VIII causes significant fluctuations in T lymphocyte subpopulations in thymus, blood and spleen. It can be concluded that an infection with FAV-VIII has profound effects on the immune system, especially on cell mediated immune competency.(AU)

Regulation of T lymphocyte subpopulations in specific pathogen free chickens following experimental fowl adenovirus Ⅷ infection

Two-day-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens were divided into two groups. Group I was inoculated orally with fowl adenovirus VIII (FAV-VIII). Group II served as a negative control. Chickens were investigated at various days post-inoculation (dpi) by flow cytometric analysis for changes in T lymphocyte subpopulations in immune system and blood. In the thymus, CD3+ T lymphocytes were increased at 25 dpi, with significant increases in the FAV infected noted at 1, 12, 20dpi (p<0.05). This was accompanied by a corresponding increase of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. In the spleen, CD3+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes were increased significantly at 30 dpi (p<0.01) whereas CD8+ and TCR γ δ+ T lymphocytes were decreased at 1 (p<0.05), 30 dpi (p<0.01). An increase of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes was noticed in peripheral blood, and accompanied by a decrease of TCR γ δ+ T lymphocytes. These results demonstrated that infection with FAV-VIII causes significant fluctuations in T lymphocyte subpopulations in thymus, blood and spleen. It can be concluded that an infection with FAV-VIII has profound effects on the immune system, especially on cell mediated immune competency.

Regulation of T lymphocyte subpopulations in specific pathogen-free chickens following experimental fowl adenovirus-â §VIII infection.

Two-day-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens were divided into two groups. Group I was inoculated orally with fowl adenovirus Ⅷ (FAV-Ⅷ). Group II served as a negative control. Chickens were investigated at various days post-inoculation (dpi) by flow cytometric analysis for changes in T lymphocyte subpopulations in immune system and blood. In the thymus, CD3(+)T lymphocytes were increased at 25 dpi, with significant increases in the FAV infected noted at 1, 12, 20dpi (p<0.05). This was accompanied by a corresponding increase of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes. In the spleen, CD3(+) and CD4(+) T lymphocytes were increased significantly at 30 dpi (p<0.01) whereas CD8(+) and TCR γ δ(+) T lymphocytes were decreased at 1 (p<0.05), 30 dpi (p<0.01). An increase of CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes was noticed in peripheral blood, and accompanied by a decrease of TCR γ δ(+) T lymphocytes. These results demonstrated that infection with FAV-Ⅷ causes significant fluctuations in T lymphocyte subpopulations in thymus, blood and spleen. It can be concluded that an infection with FAV-Ⅷ has profound effects on the immune system, especially on cell mediated immune competency.