Metapneumovirus infection of poultry: development of sovereign method of diagnosis and epizootological monitoring in poultry farms of Ukraine

Abstract

The main biological (cultural) properties of field isolates of metapneumovirus (MPV) were studied, normal and hyperimmune sera to metapneumovirus for IHR-diagnosticum (erythrocyte diagnosticum based on indirect hemagglutination reaction) were obtained, and a set of M-component components was developed. A diagnostic system of IHR (indirect hemagglutination reaction) was developed, with the help of which epizootological monitoring was carried out in poultry farms and the spread of a new infectious disease of poultry (metapneumovirus infection) among turkeys and chickens in poultry farms of Ukraine was studied. The purpose of the research is to develop a domestic diagnostic test system (erythrocyte diagnosticum for IHR) for metapneumovirus infection (MPVI) or infectious avian rhinotracheitis (IRT). As a result of the conducted researches metapneumovirus infection or infectious rhinotracheitis was established in poultry farms of 4 regions of Ukraine. The pathogen was isolated, its molecular-biological properties were studied by PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and it was established that it belongs to the genus Metapneumovirus (MPV), subtype B. The results of the epidemiological monitoring indicate that the developed erythrocyte MPV (IRT) antigen based on IHR is sensitive and specific and can be used to control the spread of metapneumovirus infection and the intensity of immunity in birds vaccinated against this disease. The production inspection in poultry farms in the western regions of Ukraine established the possibility of using IHR-diagnosticum for control of MPVI. As a result of the performed work the new domestic method of diagnostics, forecasting and protection of poultry against a metapneumovirus infection is offered. Prospects for further research are to use this erythrocyte diagnosticum based on the indirect hemagglutination reaction to monitor metapneumovirus infection of birds in poultry farms in Ukraine and determine the epizootic situation for this disease.