Fowl Adenoviruses E Cause Inclusion Body Hepatitis Outbreaks in Broiler Flocks: Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis

Background and Aims: Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) associated with FAdV-I ( fowl adenovirus) occurs worldwide in the poultry industry. It is an acute disease mainly affecting young chickens between 3 and 7 weeks of age. The objective of this study was to detect and establish the molecular sequences of the hexon gene from the avian adenovirus strains of group I (FAdV-I) from birds to characterize the serotype of the virus affecting commercial flocks in Iran. Materials and Methods: Samples were obtained from 2-week old broiler flocks of Ross from Golestan province of Iran on March 2018. DNA was extracted by Sina Pure DNA extraction kit. The 590 bp region of the hexon gene was amplified using a pair of specific primers. The PCR products were sequenced in the forward and reversed direction. Results: The nucleotide sequences of the hexon gene showed the existence of FAdV-8b from species E among broilers of Golestan province. Conclusions: This is the first report of FADV in broiler farms in Golestan province, Iran. The FAdV sequences obtained in this work shared 100% homology to those previously found in Iran(2013), Italy, Hungary, China, and Peru. Molecular characterization of viruses circulating in different regions of the country is essentially needed to develop effective vaccines.