Characterization and pathogenicity of duck plague virus isolated from natural outbreaks in ducks of Bangladesh

Abstract

Characterization and pathogenicity studies on Duck plague virus isolated from natural outbreaks of 170 ducks belonged to the districts of Mymensingh (n = 50), Netrokona (n = 70), and Kishoregonj (n = 50) were carried out during the period from January to June 2002. The collected samples were processed virologically for isolation and identification of Duck plague virus (DPV). Characterization and pathogenicity of the isolated DPV were studied in developing duck and chicken embryo, confluent monolayer of DEF, and experimentally induced infection in ducks. The DPV was identified by using neutralization (NT) and passive haemagglutination (PHA) tests. No remarkable differences were observed in the clinical characteristics, course of the disease and macroscopic lesions between naturally and experimentally infected ducks. The results of NT of DPV showed that all the local virus isolates (DPV-Mymensingh, DPV-Netrokona, and DPV-Kishoregonj) were neutralized by the antisera of duck plague vaccine virus (DLS, Mohakhali) which indicate that the virus isolates are homogenous and specific to the antisera to DPV. The PHA test was also found sensitive for the identification of DPV. Therefore, both the NT and PHA tests could be used for the identification of DPV. In addition, the local isolate of DPV-Netrokona was found to be more antigenic compared to other isolates which could be selected for vaccine preparation to control duck plague under field condition.Key words: duck plague virus; duck plague vaccine; neutralization test; passive haemagglutination testdoi: 10.3329/bjvm.v2i2.2540Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2004). 2 (2): 107-111