Complete Genome Sequencing of a Velogenic Viscerotropic Avian Paramyxovirus 1 Isolated from Pheasants (Pucrasia macrolopha) in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

We report the complete genome sequence of avian paramyxovirus 1 (APMV-1) isolated from an acute and highly contagious outbreak in pheasants ( Pucrasia macrolopha ) in Lahore, Pakistan. Biological and serological characterization showed a velogenic strain of APMV-1, which was further confirmed by the sequence analysis of the cleavage site in the fusion protein. Complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis indicated that this isolate belonged to genotype VII, specifically to subgenotype VIIa, and clustered closely with isolates characterized from Indonesia. Notably, the isolate showed significant differences from previously characterized APMV-1 from Pakistani commercial and rural chicken.