Avian Metapneumovirus subtype B around Europe: a phylodynamic reconstruction

• DOI: 10.1186/s13567-020-00817-6
• Publication Date: 2020-07-08T13:03:51Z
• Authors: Giovanni Franzo; Matteo Legnardi; Giulia Mescolini; Claudia Maria Tuc...; Caterina Lupini; Giulia Quaglia; Elena Catelli; Mattia Cecchinato
• Keywords: Metapneumovirus

Avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV) has been recognized as a respiratory pathogen of turkey and chickens for long time. Recently, crescent awareness aMPV, especially subtype B, clinical economic impact risen among European researchers veterinarians. Nevertheless, the knowledge its epidemiology evolution is still limited. In present study, broadest available collection partial G gene sequences obtained from aMPV-B strains was analyzed using different phylodynamic biostatistical approaches to reconstruct viral spreading over time role hosts on evolution. After introduction, approximatively in 1985 France, infection spread relatively quick, involving Western Mediterranean Europe until end 1990s, then westwards at beginning new millennium, parallel with an increase population size. following period, wider mixing detected eastern western countries could be observed. Most within-country genetic heterogeneity ascribable single or few introduction events, followed by local circulation. This, combined high evolutionary rate herein demonstrated, led establishment genetically phenotypically clusters countries, which affect efficacy natural vaccine-induced immunity should accounted when planning control measure implementation. On contrary, while significant strain exchange proven turkey, guinea fowl chicken, no evidence differential selective pressures specific amino-acid mutations observed, suggesting that host adaptation occurring.