Investigating Fowlpox virus in chickens: extraction, molecular profiling, and phylogenetic analysis

Fowlpox is a highly contagious viral disease that is endemic worldwide, caused by the Avipoxvirus genus within the Poxviridae family. To diagnose and study the evolution of this virus, PCR amplification combined with sequencing and phylogenetic analysis are effective methodologies. In this study, nodular tissue from a suspected infected bird was collected and tested for the presence of the Fowlpox virus. The virus was identified using conventional PCR, targeting the virion core protein (P4b) gene with specific primers, resulting in an amplicon of 415 bp. The virus was subsequently isolated from chicken embryonated eggs and confirmed through conventional PCR. The partial P4b gene was sequenced and the sequence was submitted to GenBank with the accession number OQ469498. Phylogenetic analysis of the Fowlpox virus outbreak isolates revealed that it formed a distinct clade with isolates from Germany, the United States, China, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia, all exhibiting 100% homology. This analysis indicated minimal genetic diversity within the Fowlpox virus, suggesting its stability. Additionally, the investigation into the outbreak highlighted issues such as vaccine failure, changes in tissue tropism, and variations in disease outbreak patterns. Therefore, it is essential to conduct focused and comprehensive molecular epidemiological studies and research on host-pathogen interactions to understand better these factors, which will aid in the effective control and eradication of Fowlpox disease.