Biological assessment of recombinant avian metapneumovirus subgroup C (aMPV-C) viruses containing different length of the G gene in cultured cells and SPF turkeys.

Authors: Yu, Qingzhong; Estevez, Carlos; Kapczynski, Darrell; Zsak, Laszlo

Submitted to: American Association of Avian Pathologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/11/2009
Publication Date: 7/15/2009
Citation: Yu, Q., Estevez, C., Kapczynski, D., Zsak, L. 2009. Biological assessment of recombinant avian metapneumovirus subgroup C (aMPV-C) viruses containing different length of the G gene in cultured cells and SPF turkeys (abstract). In: Proceedings of the 2009 Annual Meeting of American Association of Avian Pathologists, July 11-15, 2009, Seattle, Washington. p. 25.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Genetic variation in length of the glycoprotein (G) gene among different avian metapneumovirus subgroup C (aMPV-C) isolates has been reported. However, its biological significance in virus replication and pathogenicity is unknown. In this study, we generated two Colorado (CO) strain-based recombinant viruses containing either the full-length G gene derived from a Canadian goose isolate or a truncated G gene of the CO strain. The biological evaluation of these two recombinant G variants in Vero cells and specific pathogen free (SPF) turkeys revealed differences in virus growth dynamics and severity in clinical signs, demonstrating the effect of the G protein truncation on virus replication and pathogenicity.