Muhammad Anees

Genetic diversity of Newcastle disease virus in Pakistan: a countrywide perspective

BackgroundNewcastle disease (ND) is one of the most deadly diseases of poultry around the globe. The disease is endemic in Pakistan and recurrent outbreaks are being reported regularly in wild captive, rural and commercial poultry flocks. Though, efforts have been made to characterize the causative agent in some of parts of the country, the genetic nature of strains circulating throughout Pakistan is currently lacking.Material and methodsTo ascertain the genetics of NDV, 452 blood samples were collected from 113 flocks, originating from all the provinces of Pakistan, showing high mortality (30–80%). The samples represented domesticated poultry (broiler, layer and rural) as well as wild captive birds (pigeons, turkeys, pheasants and peacock). Samples were screened with real-time PCR for both matrix and fusion genes (1792 bp), positive samples were subjected to amplification of full fusion gene and subsequent sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.ResultsThe deduced amino acid sequence of the fusion protein cleavage site indicated the presence of motif (112RK/RQRR↓F117) typical for velogenic strains of NDV. Phylogenetic analysis of hypervariable region of the fusion gene indicated that all the isolates belong to lineage 5 of NDV except isolates collected from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province. A higher resolution of the phylogenetic analysis of lineage 5 showed the distribution of Pakistani NDV strains to 5b. However, the isolates from KPK belonged to lineage 4c; the first report of such lineage from this province.ConclusionsTaken together, data indicated the prevalence of multiple lineages of NDV in different poultry population including wild captive birds. Such understanding is crucial to underpin the nature of circulating strains of NDV, their potential for interspecies transmission and disease diagnosis and control strategies.

Complete Genome Sequencing of a Velogenic Viscerotropic Avian Paramyxovirus 1 Isolated from Pheasants (Pucrasia macrolopha) in Lahore, Pakistan

ABSTRACT We report the complete genome sequence of avian paramyxovirus 1 (APMV-1) isolated from an acute and highly contagious outbreak in pheasants (Pucrasia macrolopha) in Lahore, Pakistan. Biological and serological characterization showed a velogenic strain of APMV-1, which was further confirmed by the sequence analysis of the cleavage site in the fusion protein. Complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis indicated that this isolate belonged to genotype VII, specifically to subgenotype VIIa, and clustered closely with isolates characterized from Indonesia. Notably, the isolate showed significant differences from previously characterized APMV-1 from Pakistani commercial and rural chicken.

Genetic analysis of peste des petits ruminants virus from Pakistan

BackgroundPeste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an endemic and highly contagious disease in small ruminants of Pakistan. Despite the fact that an effective vaccine is available, outbreaks are regularly occurring in the country. Thus so far, the diagnosis has primarily been made based on clinical outcome or serology. This study was carried out to characterize PPRV from an emerging wave of outbreaks from Punjab, Pakistan.ResultsA total of 32 blood samples from five different flocks were tested with real-time PCR for the presence of PPRV genome. The samples detected positive in real-time PCR (n = 17) were subjected to conventional PCR for the amplification of the nucleoprotein (N) gene. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequenced N genes (n = 8) indicated the grouping of all the sequences in lineage IV along with PPRV strains from Asian and Middle East. However, interestingly sequences were divided into two groups. One group of viruses (n = 7) clustered with previously characterized Pakistani isolates whereas one strain of PPRV was distinct and clustered with Saudi Arabian and Iranian strains of PPRV.ConclusionsResults demonstrated in this study expanded the information on the genetic nature of different PPRV population circulating in small ruminants. Such information is essential to understand genetic nature of PPRV strains throughout the country. Proper understanding of these viruses will help to devise control strategies in PPRV endemic countries such as Pakistan.

Foliar Applied Potassium and Zinc Enhances Growth and Yield Performance of Maize under Rainfed Conditions

A field experiment was conducted for two years (2013 and 2014) to study the effect of foliar spray of potassium and zinc on maize crop under rainfed environment. Nine treatments were examined as: control, recommended rate of zinc (RRZn) to soil @ 15 kg Zn2SO4 ha, foliar zinc spray (FZS) @ 0.1%, recommended rate of potassium to soil (RRK) @ 75 kg K2O ha, RRK + RRZn, RRK+ FZS, foliar potassium spray (FKS) at 1% concentration, FKS + RRZn, FKS + FZS. The experiments were arranged in split plot with three replications. All integrated and individual foliar sprays of potassium and zinc surpassed all other treatments. Among all foliar treatments, integrated use of foliar potassium and zinc spray at 25 and 50 days after sowing (DAS) @ 1.0 and 0.1%, respectively enhanced all plant growth, yield, physiological and quality traits of maize. The highest 1000 grain weight (g) and grain yield (kg ha) were recorded under the combined foliar spray of potassium and zinc (FKS + FZS), followed by FKS + RRZn and RRK+ FZS. Greater net benefit and benefit cost ration were examined under all foliar sprays. Foliar spray of potassium and zinc is a fertilizer use efficient technique for increasing the maize yield attributes and net income under rainfed conditions.