Clinical, molecular and cytopathological characterization of a Newcastle disease virus from an outbreak in Baghdad, Iraq

Background The frequent outbreaks of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in Iraq pose a constant threat to commercial poultry, despite the introduction of routine vaccination programmes. Several factors, particularly stress factors and coinfections, might play a role in increasing NDV outbreaks in poultry species. Objectives The current study was aimed to characterize an NDV isolate from an outbreak in North Baghdad, Iraq. Methods Clinical pathogenicity of the isolate was determined experimentally in chickens. In vitro studies included cytopathological examination, as well as molecular and phylogenetic analyses. Results Based on the clinical studies and pathogenicity indices (mean death time and intracerebral and intravenous pathogenicity indices), the isolate was characterized as velogenic (highly virulent). Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction targeting the partial fusion protein gene of the NDV genome confirmed the detection. Partial sequencing of the hypervariable region of the fusion gene identified the presence of an avirulent (lentogenic) fusion protein motif (GRQGRL). Phylogenetic analysis of the new isolate along with previously known regional isolates revealed that the new isolate was related to genotype II strains. Additionally, sequence analysis indicated a distinct genetic lineage of the new isolate, which was related to some of the lineages identified in previous outbreaks in the Middle East. Conclusion The current study offers essential information on the epidemiology, characteristics and diagnosis of NDV for disease control in Iraq. The isolate was found to belong to genotype II and possess an avirulent fusion protein motif.