Molecular characterization of avian metapneumovirus from Guinea fowls (numida meleagridis)

In the present study the subtype B aMPV, strain aMPV/B/IT/GuineaFowl/1818/12, was detected in Guinea fowls affected by respiratory signs, sequenced and molecularly characterized. Comparisons among several F and G gene full sequences of aMPVs subtype B, showed that no consistent pattern related to host-tropism could be identified. Moreover, analysis of partial G gene revealed the perfect identity of the Guinea fowl strain with four Italian aMPVs isolated from turkeys or chickens in a time frame of three years, in the same geographic area. Phylogenetic analysis of both genes showed an evolutionary trend of subtype B circulating in Northern Italy from its first appearance in 1987, to date. The co-presence in the same geographic area of farms housing different avian species sensitive to aMPV, vaccinated with different vaccination programs or not vaccinated (like Guinea fowls), and often belonging to the same integrate poultry company, could be a crucial factor for the establishment of an endemic infection.