Phylogenetic analysis of Newcastle disease viruses isolated from waterfowl in the Upper Midwest Region of the United States

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study was conducted to characterize Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates obtained from waterfowl from the Upper Midwest region of the United States. A total of 43 NDVs were isolated by inoculation of cloacal samples in embryonated chicken eggs. These isolates were obtained from 24 mallards, seven American green-winged teals, six northern pintails, four blue-winged teals, and two wood ducks. Partial sequences of fusion gene were analyzed to determine the pathotypes and genotypes involved.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Deduced amino acid sequence of the cleavage site of fusion (F) protein revealed that all isolates had avirulent motifs. Of the 43 isolates, 23 exhibited sequence motif of ¹¹¹GGKQGRL¹¹⁷at the cleavage site, 19 exhibited ¹¹¹GEKQGRL¹¹⁷while one isolate showed ¹¹¹GERQGRL¹¹⁷. Phylogenetic analysis based on comparison with different classes of NDVs revealed that all 43 isolates clustered with class II NDVs and none with class I NDVs. Within class II, five isolates were phylogenetically close to genotype I NDVs while the remaining 38 were close to genotype II.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We conclude that more than one genotype of NDV circulates in waterfowl in the Upper Midwest region of the US. Continuous surveillance may help better understand the epidemiology of NDVs maintained in wild bird populations and their relationship to NDVs in domestic poultry, if any.</p

The effect of chicken, pigeon, and turkey demineralized bone matrix (DBM) implanted in ulnar defects fixed with the intramedullary-external skeletal fixator (IM-ESF) tie-in in pigeons (Columba livia): histological evaluations

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of chicken, pigeon and turkey demineralized bone matrix (DBM) powder in stimulating the healing process in 1-cm ulna defects in pigeons. A total of 9, 11 and 9 pigeon ulnas with 1-cm defect were treated with chicken, pigeon and turkey DBM, respectively. Avian DBM prepared from chicken, pigeon and turkey sources induced bone formation via endochondral and intramembranous processes, as in mammalian studies. No significant differences were observed in the percentage of new bone, percentage of cartilage, surface-forming osteoblast area, or osteoclast count between gaps treated with chicken, pigeon, and turkey DBM. However, a significantly (p<0.05) higher percentage of inflammatory area was observed in gaps treated with chicken DBM than in gaps treated with pigeon DBM

Midwest peregrine falcon demography, 1982-1995

Volume: 31Start Page: 339End Page: 34

Apparent siblicide in Peregrine Falcons

Volume: 32Start Page: 184End Page: 18