Phylogenetic Study of Two Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) Isolates Obtained From Poultry Flocks in Isfahan Province in 1999 Based on Haemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) Gene Sequencing

Virulent Newcastle disease virus (vNDV) imposes significant economic losses to the commercial poultry industry in our country and worldwide. However, in Iran scattered and relatively few studies have been done in order to characterize NDV isolates.  

The aim of the present study was to characterize two vNDV isolates obtained from commercial poultry farms in Isfahan province in 1999 through Haemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) gene complete sequencing.

Haemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) gene of each NDV isolate was amplified and sequenced using specific primers and then phylogenetically analyzed.

Based on complete coding sequence of HN gene analysis, studied isolates showed close relationship with genotype XIII and subgenotype XIIIa NDV strains. Analysis of both complete HN gene and partial F gene lead to identical results and same classification of studied viruses.

Results of present study are useful  for a better understanding of molecular epidemiology of indigenous NDV strains and determining important molecular differences between field and commonly used vaccinal strains related to main immunogenic proteins.