Longitudinal Survey on aMPV Circulation in French Broiler Flocks following Different Vaccination Strategies
Caterina Lupini,
Claudia Maria Tucciarone,
Giulia Mescolini,
Giulia Quaglia,
Giulia Graziosi,
Vincent Turblin,
Paul Brown,
Mattia Cecchinato,
Matteo Legnardi,
Thomas Delquigny,
Stéphane Lemiere,
Guillaume Perreul,
Elena Catelli
Affiliations
Caterina Lupini
Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy
Claudia Maria Tucciarone
Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
Giulia Mescolini
Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy
Giulia Quaglia
Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy
Giulia Graziosi
Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy
Vincent Turblin
MC VET Conseil—RESEAU CRISTAL, 72300 Sablé sur Sarthe, France
Paul Brown
Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort, Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitairede l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du Travail, B.P., 53-22440 Ploufragan, France
Mattia Cecchinato
Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
Matteo Legnardi
Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
Thomas Delquigny
Boehringer Ingelheim Santé Animale, 69007 Lyon, France
Stéphane Lemiere
Boehringer Ingelheim Santé Animale, 69007 Lyon, France
Guillaume Perreul
Boehringer Ingelheim Santé Animale, 69007 Lyon, France
Elena Catelli
Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy
In recent years, the impact of respiratory disease resulting from Avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV) infection has been generally rising in the broiler industry in Europe. In this context, in order to investigate aMPV contribution to the clinical picture and the potential benefits of diversified vaccination strategies compared to nonvaccination policies, a longitudinal monitoring was performed, also evaluating Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) presence. Broiler flocks located in Western France, where aMPV has already proven to be a health and productivity issue, were screened by RT-PCR on rhino-pharyngeal swabs, and the viruses were genetically characterized by sequence analysis. For a more comprehensive picture of aMPV molecular epidemiology and evolution in France, aMPV subtype B strains detected from 1985 to 1998 were sequenced and included in the analysis. The survey confirmed the detection of aMPV subtype B in commercial broiler flocks in France, together with a certain heterogeneity demonstrated by the circulation of more recent and historical French field strains. No IBV field strains were detected. The implementation and evaluation of different management choices and vaccine strategies suggests once again that immunization does not prevent infection but contributes greatly to the containment of the clinical manifestations.
