Pathotypic characterization of the Newcastle disease virus isolated from commercial poultry in northwest Iran

Abstract

Despite vaccination, outbreaks of Newcastle disease in commercial poultry flocks in northwest Iran have been regularly reported in recent years. This research was proposed in order to characterize, through a molecular approach, the genetic nature of strains of Newcastle disease virus isolated from commercial poultry flocks in northwest Iran. Ten Newcastle disease virus isolates were obtained from various districts of northwest Iran in 2010. The isolates were screened with F gene-targeting reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The amplified products of virulent strains were sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence of the fusion protein cleavage site indicated the presence of motif 112R-R-Q-R-R↓F117, typical for velogenic strains of NDV. These results confirmed that virulent NDVs are circulating in the region, causing economic losses within the poultry industry. © TÜBİTAK.