Korean Journal of Veterinary Research (대한수의학회지)

The Korean Society of Veterinary Science (대한수의학회)
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Clinical and molecular detection of fowl pox in domestic pigeons in Basrah Southern of Iraq

  • Isam Azeez Khaleefah (Department of Pathology and Poultry Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Basrah) ;
  • Hassan M. Al-Tameemi (Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Basrah) ;
  • Qayssar Ali Kraidi (Department of Basic Sciences, College of Nursing, University of Misan) ;
  • Harith Abdulla Najem (Department of Pathology and Poultry Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Basrah) ;
  • Jihad Abdulameer Ahmed (Department of Pathology and Poultry Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Basrah) ;
  • Haider Rasheed Alrafas (Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Basrah)
  • Received : 2023.12.19
  • Accepted : 2024.03.06
  • Published : 2024.03.31
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Abstract

Bird species, particularly poultry and other bird types, including domestic pigeons, are susceptible to fowl pox, a contagious viral disease. The main goal of this study was to validate clinical avipoxvirus diagnoses using molecular analytical methods. The essential components of the investigation were the clinical signs, visible abnormalities, histological changes, and polymerase chain reaction analysis. Twenty out of 120 pigeons had clinical symptoms, which included yellowish crust or nodules near the feet, eyes, and beak. An erosive epidermal lesion and an epidermal acanthotic papular lesion with basal vacuolation were maculopapular evidence associated with significant epidermal hyperkeratosis, as confirmed by histological analysis. In addition, the results showed keratinocyte necrosis beneath the hyperkeratotic epidermal layer, together with superficial and deep dermal perivascular lymphocytic infiltration. In addition, the P4b core protein gene underwent phylogenetic analysis. The sequence analysis results indicated a high degree of similarity across the local strains, with just minor variations observed. Five sample sequences were selected and submitted to the NCBI database. These sequences were identified as OR187728, OR187729, OR187730, OR187731, and OR187732. All the various strains in this research may be classified under clade A of the chicken pox virus phylogenetic classification. This study presents the first description and characterization of pox virus infections in domestic pigeons inside the Basrah governorate.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The staff of the University of Basra's College of Veterinary Medicine is thanked by the authors for providing the necessary assistance and resources for the study project.

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