Understanding the behaviour of avian metapneumovirus in Moroccan turkeys flocks through serological investigations

Avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV) is the etiological agent of an acute and contagious disease, affecting mainly the respiratory tract with several clinical expressions. It causes Turkey Rhinotracheitis in turkeys, insidious infections or Swollen Head Syndrom in broilers when associated with pathogens, as well as drops of production with poor eggshell quality together with respiration difficulties in layers and breeders. Aiming to understand better the behaviour of the virus in Moroccan fattening turkeys’ flocks, a serological study was conducted in 23 farms with respiratory problems, and eventually, mortalities in some of them. The purpose, besides showing antibodies due to natural infection by aMPV, is to highlight co-infections in turkeys, particularly those associated with Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) through correlation analysis of antibodies titres against both diseases agents. Results obtained show a strong and positive correlation of antibodies produced against APV and against ORT in turkeys (R = 0,806). Thus, avian metapneumovirus is more likely to be present in association with other respiratory pathogenic viruses or bacterias, while being initial infectious agent. 

Key words: Avian Metapneumovirus, aMPV, turkeys, Turkey Rhinotracheitis, TRT, co-infections, serology, correlation