Detection and molecular characterization of avipoxviruses isolated from different avian species in Egypt

Six clinical cases of avipoxvirus (APV) infection were investigated and molecular biologically studied. The samples were collected from different domesticated birds reared in the Egyptian backyard management system and were propagated on the chorioallantoic membrane of embryonated chicken eggs. The virus isolation was confirmed via PCR amplification of fpv167 (P4b) gene locus. All the studied isolates were characterized as Fowlpox-like viruses based on the amplicon length of fpv140 gene locus. The phylogenetic analysis of fpv167 (P4b) gene clustered Elsharqyia\_FWPV1, Elsharqyia\_FWPV2, Elsharqyia\_FWPV3, Elsharqyia\_FWPV4, and Elsharqyia\_TKPV strains within subclade A1. Furthermore, Elsharqyia\_PGPV strain was clustered within subclade A2 (Turkeypox virus) and showed 100 \% nucleic acid identity with the wood pigeon Indian which was isolated in 2009. On the other hand, when the fpv140 gene was used for the phylogenetic analysis, Elsharqyia\_PGPV was clustered within subclade A4 (Pigeonpox virus) with the other PGPVs. This study is considered the first molecular record for APVs circulating in the Egyptian birds. Further studies in a larger scale need to be developed to have a better understanding about the molecular characterization of the Egyptian APV strains.