Phylogenetic analysis of avian paramyxovirus serotype-1 in pigeons in Japan

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 77; no. 8; pp. 919 - 923
• Main Authors: MASE, Masaji, KANEHIRA, Katsushi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 01.01.2015; Japan Science and Technology Agency; The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: Animals; avian paramyxovirus serotype-1; Avian Pathology; Columbidae - virology; Genes, Viral - genetics; Humans; Japan - epidemiology; Newcastle Disease - epidemiology; Newcastle Disease - virology; Newcastle disease virus - genetics; Paramyxovirus; Phylogeny; pigeon; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction - veterinary; Japan
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.14-0684

To understand the epidemiology of Avian paramyxovirus serotype-1 (APMV-1) in pigeons in Japan, phylogenetic analysis was comprehensively conducted based on partial fusion protein gene using isolate from the surveillance of this virus with previously known Japanese pigeon strains. This surveillance was conducted using feces obtained from domestic pigeons collected in 40 prefectures throughout Japan from June 2011 to March 2013. From a total of 1,021 samples, a single virus (APMV1/pigeon/Japan/Kanagawa/2013: JP/Kanagawa-pg/2013) was isolated. All Japanese pigeon APMV-1 strains were clustered into a single genetic lineage, which was termed VIb/1 by phylogenetic analysis based on the F gene including the sequence of the cleavage site. These APMV-1 strains were further subdivided into four subgroups identified over 4 separate timeframes: 1984–1995 (group 1), 1995–2000 (group 2), 2001–2007 (group 3) and the novel subgroup isolated in 2013 (group 4). Each subgroup has specific amino acid motifs at a cleavage site of the F protein, namely, 112GRQKR-F117(except for one strain), 112RRKKR-F117, 112RRQKR-F117 and 112RRQKR-F117, respectively. Our data suggest that Japanese APMV-1 strains from pigeons were diverse and reinforced the possibility that there were multiple introduction routes from foreign countries into Japan.