Molecular detection and characterization of Paramyxovirus from wild birds of different biomes of Brazil

• Grant number: 17/01125-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2017
• End date: August 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Luciano Matsumiya Thomazelli
• Grantee: Luciano Matsumiya Thomazelli
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Carla Meneguin Barbosa ; Tatiana Ometto de Araujo ; Thais Helena Martins Gamon

Abstract

Paramyxovirus are viruses belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family, currently divided into 7 genera: Aquaparamyxovirus, Avulavirus, Ferlavirus, Henipavirus, Morbillivirus, Respirovirus and Rubulavirus. They are characterized by being 150-300 nm diameter enveloped particles with helical symmetry nucleocapsid containing single negative strain RNA genome. In birds, the main paramyxovirus are in the genus Avulavirus, in which the ICTV recognizes 12 species, Avian Paramyxovirus from 1 to 12 (APMV-1 to 12 serotypes). However, in the last years three new serotypes designated APMV-13, -14 and -15, not yet recognized by ICTV have been described. This last one (APMV-15) was described for the first time by our research group, which conducts routine expeditions to collect samples of wild birds in several places in Brazil since 2005, focusing on Newcastle disease virus (APMV-1) and Influenza virus. This demonstrates that are still very little known about avian paramyxoviruses and have enormous potential in the discovery of new viruses, especially in South America, including Brazil.Wild birds, especially migrating birds, can carry viruses, known or unknown, to other regions, acting as transmitting agents or even reservoirs, on their long routes between nesting and wintering areas. Therefore, the objectives of this study is to analyze the presence of paramyxovirus in samples of wild birds, migratory or resident, in different regions of Brazil, transposed by the main South American migratory routes, aiming an active epidemiological surveillance. (AU)