Infectious Bronchitis Virus Genotypes in the Middle East.

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) variability is the result of genetic mutations and/or recombination events followed by selection. Different IBV types have been reported in Middle Eastern countries, of which most relate to different lineages of genotype I based on a phylogenetic analysis of the full-length S1 subunit of the spike gene. Despite extensive vaccination programs, IBV variants continue to emerge in the Middle East. Furthermore, IBV isolates similar to Middle East variants have also been detected in Asia and Europe. In this review, IBV serotypes and genotypes circulating in the Middle East are discussed.