Detection of avian metapneumovirus in commercial chicken flocks in East and West Azarbaijan provinces

Avian metapneumovirus causes upper respiratory tract infections in chickens and turkeys. Avian metapneumovirus plays an important role in respiratory diseases, it may be involved in multifactorial disease. The aim of this study was the detection and sequencing of the G gene of avian metapneumovirus from chicken flocks in East and West Azarbaijan province. Clinical samples from 50 commercial chicken flocks with respiratory signs such as swollen infraorbital sinuses, nasal discharges, coughing, tracheal rales, and foamy conjunctivitis were collected. Samples included the choenal cleft, trachea and turbinates swabs and brought to the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute for RT-PCR. The G genes of Positive samples were sequenced. Of the 50 chicken flocks, 8 flocks were positive by RT-PCR (16%). Partial sequence analysis of the G gene confirmed that the positive samples belonged to subtype B. Phylogenetic tree demonstrated that These Iranian strains formed one group apart from subtype B vaccine strain used in Iran.