Complete Genome Sequence of Avian Paramyxovirus (APMV) Serotype 5 Completes the Analysis of Nine APMV Serotypes and Reveals the Longest APMV Genome

Avian paramyxoviruses (APMV) consist of nine known serotypes. The genomes of representatives of all APMV serotypes except APMV type 5 have recently been fully sequenced. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the APMV-5 prototype strain budgerigar/Kunitachi/74.APMV-5 Kunitachi virus is unusual in that it lacks a virion hemagglutinin and does not grow in the allantoic cavity of embryonated chicken eggs. However, the virus grew in the amniotic cavity of embryonated chicken eggs and in twelve different established cell lines and two primary cell cultures. The genome is 17,262 nucleotides (nt) long, which is the longest among members of genus Avulavirus, and encodes six non-overlapping genes in the order of 3'N-P/V/W-M-F-HN-L-5' with intergenic regions of 4-57 nt. The genome length follows the 'rule of six' and contains a 55-nt leader sequence at the 3'end and a 552 nt trailer sequence at the 5' end. The phosphoprotein (P) gene contains a conserved RNA editing site and is predicted to encode P, V, and W proteins. The cleavage site of the F protein (G-K-R-K-K-R downward arrowF) conforms to the cleavage site motif of the ubiquitous cellular protease furin. Consistent with this, exogenous protease was not required for virus replication in vitro. However, the intracerebral pathogenicity index of APMV-5 strain Kunitachi in one-day-old chicks was found to be zero, indicating that the virus is avirulent for chickens despite the presence of a polybasic F cleavage site.Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences of the APVM-5 genome and proteins versus those of the other APMV serotypes showed that APMV-5 is more closely related to APMV-6 than to the other APMVs. Furthermore, these comparisons provided evidence of extensive genome-wide divergence that supports the classification of the APMVs into nine separate serotypes. The structure of the F cleavage site does not appear to be a reliable indicator of virulence among APMV serotypes 2-9. The availability of sequence information for all known APMV serotypes will facilitate studies in epidemiology and vaccinology

A pathogenic paramyxovirus from a budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)

An outbreak of acute enteritis with high mortality among caged budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) in a bird sanctuary was investigated. An agent with the properties of a paramyxovirus, but distinct from Newcastle disease virus and myxovirus Yucaipa, was isolated from one budgerigar. Inoculation of the virus intranasally, orally or intra abdominally, in young budgerigars produced an acute, fatal enteritis. Birds surviving the original outbreak developed antibodies to the virus. The virus was not pathogenic for chick embryos, young or mature chickens, or pigeons. Hemadsorption was demonstrated in infected cell cultures, but no hemagglutinin was detected

A preliminary study on the efficacy of the V4 Newcastle disease vaccine when administered through drinking water and as aerosols

Vaccinatioll of chickens by the intranasal, aerosol or the drinking water method at 14 and 35 days old stimulated satisfactory haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody response which persisted for 9 weeks. The antibody response to aerosol or intranasal vacr.ination was slightly higher than the drinking water vaccination at the time of challenge. Chickens oaccinated by intranasal or aerosol or drinking zoater method were resistant when challenged with the virulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV)