Molecular Characterization of Hydropericardium Hepatitis Syndrome in Broiler Chickens

Document Type : Original Article

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Abstract

Infection with fowl adenoviruses (FAdVs) can lead to a number of syndromes in
chickens. These syndromes, which include inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) and hepatitishydropericardium syndrome (HHS), as well as others, are responsible for tremendous
economic losses all over the world. FAdVs can be broken down into a total of 12 different
serotypes and 5 different species (A–E; 1–8a and 8b–11). As a result of the extensive
distribution of FAdV strains, the vast majority of bird species are susceptible to infection.
IBH and HHS are both caused by viruses belonging to the genus aviadenovirus, which is a
family within the adenoviridae viral family. In our study samples from IBH and HHS
suspected outbreaks were collected from Alexandria, Mars Matroh and Behera
governorates. The affected broilers showed enlarged liver and kidney, straw-colored fluid
accumulates in the pericardial sac around the heart. The FAdVs infection confirmed by
conventional PCR infection using Hexon gene specific primers then sequencing of 3
selected FAdv the isolates. Phylogentic analysis of the obtained sequences in comparing
with reference strains from gene bank; the three isolates were highly similar to the
circulating FAdV type D in Egypt with nucleotide identity ranged 99 -100% and amino acid
identity ranged 97.2-100%. While they are of low similarity with the other FAdV serotypes
located in group D FAdV. Interestingly we found that FAdV species D was predominant in
Egypt now specially FAdVs- 2/11.

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