Phylogenetic Study and Investigation on the Involvement of the Newcastle Disease Virus in Multicausal Respiratory Diseases of the Broiler Flocks in Qazvin Province, Iran 2014-2015

BACKGROUND: Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is one of the most principal contagious diseases with a significant role in multifactorial respiratory diseases in the poultry industry. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate and detect NDVs in multicausal respiratory diseases. METHODS: A total of 180 tracheal swabs were collected from 20 commercial broiler flocks during 2014- 2015. Three tracheal swabs from each flock were pooled. Sixty samples were amplified in PCR by specified primers for fusion gene that flanked cleavage site. Twelve samples were purified and sequenced by a two-way direction method. Based on the amino acids and nucleotide similarities in the part of the F gene, the phyloge- netic analysis of the fusion genes was generated. RESULTS: Based on PCR detection, 26 of 60 (43%) samples and 12 of 20 (60 %) flocks were positive for NDV. Sequence analysis of 12 positive samples revealed that 5 viruses (41.66 %) belonged to the velogenic strains (genotype II, subgenotype VIId) and 7 viruses (58.33 %) were included in the lentogenic pathotypes. Based on the nucleotide similarities, it is concluded that some of the lentogenic pathotypes have 100% close- ness to B1 and Lasota strains. Likewise, the 5 virulent ND virus strains of this study show 100% homogeneity to some previously identified velogenic isolates. CONCLUSIONS: A high percentage of ND viruses were detected in broiler flocks with respiratory com- plexes. Among these detected viruses, it is concluded that the lentogenic isolates and vaccinal strains can be effective in exacerbating respiratory problems.