Recent Isolation, Molecular Detection and Phylogeny of Pigeon Poxvirus in Al-Sharkia Province, Egypt

Avian poxvirus is a common infectious disease among birds. In this study, samples were collected from pigeons suspected of being infected with pigeon poxvirus (PGPV) in Al-Sharkia province, Egypt, between January and August 2021. The affected pigeons exhibited cutaneous nodules on their beaks, around their eyes, on their legs, and near the cloacal region. Out of thirteen samples, five tested positive for PGPV post inoculation in specific pathogen-free embryonated chicken eggs, which showed characteristic pock lesions and thickening on the chorioallantoic membrane. The virus isolate was identified by PCR using primers specific to the P4b gene (578 bp). Sequencing of the P4b gene revealed that the PGPV isolate had 100% homology with local Egyptian PGPV strains, while showing 99.994% homology with PGPV from South Africa 2014 and Iraq 2019. Also, it showed 99.895% to 99.898% homology with Fowlpox viruses (FWPVs) from Egypt. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the PGPV isolate clustered with other local and international PGPV strains, distinct from FWPV strains. The findings suggest that the pigeon poxvirus responsible for the outbreaks in Al-Sharkia province in 2021 is closely related to local PGPV strains.