Identification of newcastle disease virus (Orthoavulavirus javaense) genotype XIII in an outbreak among indigenous chickens

Abstract

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious viral infection with huge economic impact on the poultry industry. ND is caused by Orthoavulavirus javaense (OAVJ) which belongs to the genus Orthoavulavirus of the family Paramyxoviridae. The present study reports an outbreak of ND in desi chicken. Sudden mortality accompanied by characteristic lesions such as haemorrhages in the proventriculus and caecal tonsils, were noticed during necropsy. Samples were processed and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction using in-house designed primers targeting 258 bp region of F gene of OAVJ. Virus isolation was carried out in 9 to 11 day old embryonated chicken eggs through allantoic route which showed diffuse haemorrhage in embryos. The gel purified PCR product was sequenced and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolate belonged to genotype XIII of OAVJ.