Isolation and characterization of fowl aviadenovirus serotype 11 from chickens with inclusion body hepatitis in Morocco

PLoS One. 2019 Dec 31;14(12):e0227004. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227004. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

The present study was conducted in order to isolate, identify and characterize fowl aviadenovirus associated with inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) in three poultry farms (two of broiler chickens and one of breeder broiler chickens) in Morocco during 2015. Liver samples collected from affected three poultry farms were examined by histopathological examination. Tissue samples showing necrosis of hepatocytes associated with basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were homogenized and submitted to FAdV isolation in chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cell cultures and in SPF embryonated eggs. The cytopathic effect (CPE) was observed in the second passage with swelling and rounding of infected cells. The inoculated embryos were hemorrhagic and showed hepatitis with the presence of basophilic intra-nuclear inclusion bodies within hepatocytes. The presence of the virus was confirmed by conventional polymerase chain reaction based on hexon gene from all investigated samples. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis of the hexon gene revealed that FAdVs isolated from different affected poultry belonged to FAdV 11 serotype of the D genotype group. This work is the first isolation in cell culture and SPF embryonated eggs of FAdV from Moroccan broilers and breeder broiler chickens with IBH.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Adenoviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Adenoviridae Infections / virology
  • Animals
  • Aviadenovirus / classification
  • Aviadenovirus / genetics*
  • Aviadenovirus / immunology
  • Aviadenovirus / isolation & purification
  • Capsid Proteins / genetics
  • Capsid Proteins / immunology
  • Chick Embryo
  • Chickens / virology*
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • DNA, Viral / isolation & purification
  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Animal / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Animal / virology*
  • Inclusion Bodies, Viral / virology
  • Liver / virology
  • Morocco / epidemiology
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Poultry Diseases / epidemiology
  • Poultry Diseases / virology*
  • Serogroup
  • Serotyping

Substances

  • Capsid Proteins
  • DNA, Viral
  • hexon capsid protein, Adenovirus

Grants and funding

This study was partially funded by veterinary biological and pharmaceutical company (Biopharma). There were no further funders. This Company was provided PCR reagent and sequencing fees and did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish. We confirm that no competing interests exist. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.