Spotlight on avian pathology: fowlpox virus
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Giotis, Efstathios S
Skinner, Michael
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Fowlpox virus is the type species of an extensive and poorly-defined group of viruses isolated from more than 200 species of birds, together comprising the avipoxvirus genus of the poxvirus family. Long known as a significant poultry pathogen, vaccines developed in the early and middle years of the 20th century led to its effective eradication as a problem to commercial production in temperate climes in developed western countries (such that vaccination there is now far less common). Transmitted mechanically by biting insects, it remains problematic, causing significant losses to all forms of production (from back-yard, through extensive to intensive commercial flocks), in tropical climes where control of biting insects is difficult. In these regions, vaccination (via intra-dermal or subcutaneous, and increasingly in ovo, routes) remains necessary. Although there is no evidence that more than a single serotype exists, there are poorly-described reports of outbreaks in vaccinated flocks. Whether this is due to inadequate vaccination or penetrance of novel variants remains unclear. Some such outbreaks have been associated with strains carrying endogenous, infectious proviral copies of the retrovirus, reticulo-endotheliosis virus (REV), which might represent a pathotypic (if not newly emerging) variant in the field. Until more is known about the phylogenetic structure of the avipoxvirus genus (by more widespread genome sequencing of isolates from different species of birds) it remains difficult to ascertain the risk of novel avipoxviruses emerging from wild birds (and/or by recombination/mutation) to infect farmed poultry.
Date Issued
2019
Date Acceptance
2018-11-26
Citation
Avian Pathology, 2019, 48 (2), pp.87-90
ISSN
0307-9457
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Start Page
87
End Page
90
Journal / Book Title
Avian Pathology
Volume
48
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2018 Houghton Trust Ltd. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Avian Pathology on 3 Dec 2018, available online: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03079457.2018.1554893
Sponsor
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Identifier
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03079457.2018.1554893
Grant Number
BB/K002465/1
Subjects
Fowlpox virus
Poxviridae
Pathology
Infection Control
Vaccination
Emerging infections
Poultry
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-12-03