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.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10748250PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/v15122374DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

houbara bustards
20
gamebirds morocco
16
bustards gamebirds
12
h9n2 virus
12
h9n2
9
low pathogenic
8
pathogenic avian
8
avian influenza
8
subtype h9n2
8
h9n2 african
8

Similar Publications

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 PDF

Molecular Detection of Infectious Bronchitis Virus in Captive-Bred Houbara Bustards ().

J 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 PDF

Blunt Force Trauma in the Canarian Houbara Bustard () Produced by Collision with Overhead Lines.

Vet 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.

Article Synopsis
  • Bird collisions with overhead lines, like power and phone lines, are contributing to the decline of various bird species, particularly the endangered Canarian houbara bustard.
  • A necropsy study of nine houbara bustards that collided with these lines showed that trauma was the cause of death for all, with common severe injuries including fractures and hemorrhages.
  • The study found that many birds endure the initial impact and may survive for a short period (minutes to hours) before succumbing to their injuries, suggesting that post-trauma analysis techniques could help determine the timeline from injury to death.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - The study aimed to establish normal eye parameters for MacQueen's bustards and identify eye conditions in a group of 257 captive birds.
  • - Researchers used various methods, including eye exams and tests for tear production and intraocular pressure, finding key normal values and noting bacterial presence, with Staphylococcus species being the most common.
  • - Results showed significant differences in eye measurements between male and female bustards and identified corneal fibrosis as the most frequent eye abnormality, indicating the feasibility of these tests to monitor eye health in this species.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!