Molecular characterization and phylogenetic studies of a virulent newcastle disease virus detected in indigenous chickens in plateau state, Nigeria

Kumbish Peterside Rinle 1, Esievo King Akpofure Nelson 2, Ahmed James Saidu 1, Choji Tobias Pwajok Peter 1, Moses Gyang Davou 1, Anueyiagu Deborah Mojisola 1, Atam Sunday Kelvin 1, Ibrahim Najume Doguwa Gigiya 2, Oladele Sunday Blessing 2 and Barde Israel Joshua 1, *

1 Central Diagnostic Division, National Veterinary Research Institute Vom, Nigeria.
2 Department of Veterinary Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2019, 01(01), 027–034.
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2019.1.1.0005
 
Publication history: 
Received on 18 December 2018; revised on 19 January 2019; accepted on 22 January 2019
 
Abstract: 
A study of Newcastle disease virus (NDVs) using molecular characterization in indigenous chickens in Plateau State was carried out. The birds were obtained from three geographical locations in Plateau State.  Three ribonucleic acids (RNAs) of Newcastle disease viruses (NDVs) obtained from normal indigenous chickens, which were never vaccinated against Newcastle disease (ND) were characterized. These RNAs were named Lc 3, Lc 4 and Lc5, respectively. These three samples were genotypically analyzed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with primers specific to the viral fusion (F) protein gene. The deduced amino acid sequences at the F0 of these three RNA between positions 112 and 117 were all the same. The three NDV RNA had phenylalanine (F) residue at position 117, confirming their high virulence to indigenous chicken in Plateau State, Nigeria. The existence of virulent NDVs in circulation in indigenous chicken could be a serious threat to commercial chicken. The fragment of the deduced amino acid sequences were compared phylogenetically and were all found to belong to the genotype 5 g. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported genotype Vg strains that possess the sequences of 112R-R-Q-K-R-F117 within the F0 protein in indigenous chickens in Plateau State, Nigeria. They also grouped/clustered together with a Niger Republic strain (FJ772475 chicken-2602-605-Niger-2008, FJ772481chicken-2602-625-Niger-2008), and another strain from Cameroon (FJ772484chicken-3490-147-cameroon-2008). This study presents for the first time to the best of our knowledge report of not only the presence of the velogenic strain, but has gone ahead to establish the amino acid sequences, and the phylogenic ancestral history of these novel Nigerian NDV isolates, and their accession numbers as well as their relatedness to already established isolates. The information obtained in this study could be useful for improving the knowledge on the epidemiology, spread, efficiency of prevention/control strategies currently in place in Nigeria and indeed the West African sub-region.
Keywords: 
Molecular characterization; Phylogenetic studies; Newcastle Disease Virus; Indigenous chickens; Plateau State; Nigeria
 
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