PAKISTAN
VETERINARY
JOURNAL
     
 
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Comparative Molecular Characterization and Pathogenicity of H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus in Commercial Poultry Flocks in Pakistan
 
Muhammad Ali1, Muti-ur-Rehman Khan1*, Asim Aslam1, Habib-ur-Rehman2, Saima Masood3, Ayesha Masood4, Muhammad Shahbaz Yousaf2, Irtaza Hussain1, Saba Usman1 and Ahsan Anjum1
 

1Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
2Department of Physiology, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
3Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
4Department of Anatomy and Histology Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Islamia University Bahawalpur
*Corresponding author: drniazi@uvas.edu.pk

Abstract   

The current study was designed to investigate the molecular characterization and pathological potential of field isolated H9N2 low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV). Trachea, lungs, kidney, and spleen tissue samples of 413 chickens with respiratory signs were collected from one hundred poultry flocks, processed for RT-PCR, phylogenetic analysis, and histopathological examinations. A PCR product of 918 bp corresponding to a fragment of the HA gene was detected in 14 samples. After nucleotide sequencing and alignment, the positive samples were grouped into two isolates. Field isolates of the current study have 95.02-98.85% nucleotide and 90.04-98.21% amino acid homology to previously reported H9N2 strains from Pakistan. Microscopic examination revealed degenerative changes, necrosis, congestion, hemorrhages, and mononuclear cell infiltration in the trachea, lungs, kidney, and spleen. Based on the molecular analysis, the results depicted that studied isolates shared 95.02-98.85% nucleotide identity, and 90.04-98.21% amino acid similarity with other Pakistan originated H9N2 LPAIV and referenced A/Quail/Hong Kong/G1/97 isolates, hence, clustered in G1-lineage. Moreover, H9N2 LPAIV also induced gross and microscopic alternations in the studied organs. Further investigations on potential transmission risks, pathotyping, and causes of vaccine failures are required.

To Cite This Article: Ali M, Khan MUR, Aslam A, Rehman HU, Masood S, Masood A, Yousaf MS, Hussain I, Usman S and Anjum A, 2021. Comparative molecular characterization and pathogenicity of H9N2 avian influenza virus in commercial poultry flocks in Pakistan. Pak Vet J, 41(3): 451-455. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2021.047

 
   

ISSN 0253-8318 (Print)
ISSN 2074-7764 (Online)



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