We report in this paper the first detection of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) subtype H9N2 in houbara bustards and in gamebirds in Morocco. Starting in 2019, an increase in mortality rates related to respiratory distress was recorded in these species. Necropsy of the specimens revealed fibrinous sinusitis and tracheitis with intra-bronchial fibrin casts, which are consistent with H9N2 infection in chickens; therefore, implication of the virus in these outbreaks was strongly suspected. Consequently, between January 2020 and June 2023, birds with respiratory signs were necropsied for pathological lesions, tissue samples were examined by histopathology, and samples of trachea, lungs, and cecal tonsils were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR for the detection of H9N2 virus. In addition, the sequencing of isolates was performed and lastly differential diagnosis with other respiratory pathogens was carried out. During the study period, 93 samples were collected from suspected H9N2 outbreaks, of which 30 tested positive for H9N2 virus: 23 Houbara bustards, 4 partridges, 2 quails, and 1 pheasant. Moreover, sequencing of the HA gene of the virus showed 97.33% nucleotide identity with strains reported previously in broilers in Morocco in 2017 and in 2022. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the Moroccan partridge isolates in the same cluster as viruses isolated in Morocco between 2016 and 2022, Algeria (2017), Burkina Faso (2017), Nigeria (2019), and Togo (2020). Additionally, 10 house sparrows from the premises of these birds were examined for the presence of H9N2 virus, revealing a 30% positivity rate. In conclusion, LPAIV H9N2 is circulating in houbara bustards and gamebirds in Morocco, and house sparrows might be a possible source of the infection. To our knowledge, this is the first report of LPAI H9N2 in the African species of houbara bustards worldwide and in gamebirds in Morocco.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/v15122374 | DOI Listing |
Comp Cytogenet
December 2024
Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Team of Developmental Genetics. PO box 32 El-Alia, Bab-Ezzouar, 16110, Algiers, Algeria University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB) Algiers Algeria.
Birds are one of the most diverse groups among terrestrial vertebrates. They evolved from theropod dinosaurs, are closely related to the sauropsid group and separated from crocodiles about 240 million years ago. According to the IUCN, 12% of bird populations are threatened with potential extinction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Avian Med Surg
October 2024
Clinical Science Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Avian Research Center, King Faisal University, Al-Hofuf, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia,
This article describes the first reported case of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in houbara bustards () from Saudi Arabia. Infectious bronchitis virus is a highly infectious virus that leads to major economic losses in the poultry industry. It is prevalent globally and causes severe respiratory and reproductive diseases in chickens.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVet Sci
June 2024
Unit of Veterinary Histology and Pathology, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35413 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
Vet Ophthalmol
June 2024
Dubai Falcon Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Sci Rep
February 2024
IHAP, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, INRAE, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 3, France.
At the end of 2020, an outbreak of HPAI H5N8 was registered in captive African houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata) in the United Arab Emirates. In order to better understand the pathobiology of this viral infection in bustards, a comprehensive pathological characterization was performed. A total of six birds were selected for necropsy, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, RNAscope in situ hybridization and RT-qPCR and nanopore sequencing on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks.
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