Epidemiology, molecular characterization, and recombination analysis of chicken anemia virus in Guangdong province, China

Arch Virol. 2020 Jun;165(6):1409-1417. doi: 10.1007/s00705-020-04604-8. Epub 2020 Apr 21.

Abstract

Chicken anemia virus (CAV) causes severe anemia and immunosuppression in young chickens and a compromised immune response in older birds, resulting in great economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. Here, we report the molecular epidemiology and characterization of CAV circulating in poultry in Guangdong province, China. Ninety-one of 277 chickens collected from 2016 to 2017 were CAV positive. Full-genome sequencing revealed the presence of eight separate strains. Phylogenetic analysis based on the genome sequences obtained in this study and related sequences available in the GenBank database showed that all of the CAV isolates exhibit a close relationship to each other and belong to the same genotypic group. Putative recombination events were also detected in the genomes of the newly isolated CAVs. Collectively, our findings underscore the importance of CAV surveillance and provide information that will lead to a better understanding of the evolution of CAV.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Chicken anemia virus / classification*
  • Chicken anemia virus / isolation & purification
  • Chickens
  • China / epidemiology
  • Circoviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Circoviridae Infections / virology
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Genotype*
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Phylogeny
  • Poultry Diseases / virology*
  • Recombination, Genetic*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / veterinary