Genotyping of Local Isolates of Parvoviruses Causing Short Beak and Dwarfism Syndrome in Young Ducklings and Goslings Using PCR and RFLP Technique

Abd El Hamid, M I; Amani, Ali Saleh; F. El Kersh, Mohamed; Lubna, F Farahat; Seioudy, Manar F.; A. El-Sebay, Nadine

doi:10.21608/ejvs.2025.418036.3087

Genotyping of Local Isolates of Parvoviruses Causing Short Beak and Dwarfism Syndrome in Young Ducklings and Goslings Using PCR and RFLP Technique

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Genetic Engineering Research Department, Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute (VSVRI), Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Egypt

² Quality Control Department, Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute, Agriculture Research Centre

³ 3Reference Laboratory for Veterinary Quality Control on Poultry Production, Animal Health Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Giza 12618

⁴ Department of Quality Management, Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute (VSVRI) Agricultural Research Center (ARC). Cairo, 11381

⁵ Central Laboratory for Evaluation of Veterinary Biologics (CLEVB)-Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Cairo, Abassia, Egypt

⁶ 1Genetic Engineering Research Department, Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute (VSVRI), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Cairo 1138

10.21608/ejvs.2025.418036.3087

Abstract

Goose parvovirus (GPV) is a highly contagious pathogen of waterfowl, responsible for short beak and dwarfism syndrome (SBDS), leading to significant economic losses in the poultry industry. The virus spreads through both horizontal and vertical transmission, in addition to contamination of eggs and hatcheries facilitating its persistence and wide distribution. Despite its global presence, including recurrent outbreaks in Egypt, the molecular epidemiology and evolutionary dynamics of GPV remain incompletely understood. In the present study, molecular analysis of the VP1 capsid protein gene revealed complete nucleotide homology (100%) among the 2023 Egyptian field isolates, despite being recovered from two geographically distinct regions—Gharbia Governorate (Northern Egypt) and Beni Suef (Upper Egypt) suggesting the circulation of a single predominant strain during the 2023 outbreaks. In contrast, the 2018 vaccine strain demonstrated 98.1% identity with the 2023 isolates, differing by more than 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Phylogenetic analysis further demonstrated that the Egyptian isolates in general rather than the isolates of 2023 are clustered closely together within the novel Goose parvovirus (N-GPV) lineage, while maintaining a distinct but related position to the Chinese reference strain QH15. This close genetic relationship indicates possible shared ancestral origins between Egyptian and Chinese N-GPV strains, while also reflecting local viral evolution under regional epidemiological pressures. To address the need for rapid molecular differentiation, the study developed a novel PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay targeting an 855 bp fragment of the VP1 gene. Diagnostic digestion with HinfI and AlwI revealed unique and reproducible restriction patterns that enabled clear discrimination between classical GPV (C-GPV) and novel GPV (N-GPV). This method provides a rapid, cost-effective, and reliable genotyping tool for field and laboratory investigations. In summary, In conclusion the present findings confirm the predominance of a single C-GPV strain in Egypt during 2023, highlight its phylogenetic relatedness to Chinese isolates, and introduce a practical PCR-RFLP method for differentiating GPV genotypes. These insights strengthen the understanding of GPV epidemiology and provide critical data for vaccine development and outbreak control strategies.

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