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Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is the causative agent of Newcastle disease (ND) in many avian species. ND is a serious problem in developing countries, causing huge loss in the poultry industry. Although there are reports of continuous outbreaks of ND leading to serious losses to the poultry farming, very less is known about the genetic characteristics of its strains circulating in different parts of India. In the present study, we have five isolates of NDV reported from different outbreaks in Central India between the years 2006–2012. Deduced amino acid sequence of the F protein cleavage site and phylogenetic analysis of all the five isolates showed circulation of NDV genotype XIIIb. All the isolates showed a unique virulent cleavage site 112 RRQKR↓F 117 . The close genetic similarity of all the isolates suggested circulation of the virulent NDV strains of the same ancestor in and around central India. Continuous isolation of genotype XIIIb NDV strains within the country suggests its panzootic potential. The study will be useful to understand the circulating strains of NDV and plan a vaccination strategy for poultry in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is a highly infectious disease of young chicken that predominantly affects the immune system. In the present study, we are reporting first comprehensive study of IBDV outbreaks from the Northeastern part of India. Northeast India shares a porous border with four different countries; and as a rule any outbreak in the neighboring countries substantially affects the poultry population in the adjoining states. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the VP2 gene of the IBDV isolates from the Northeastern part of India suggested the extreme virulent nature of the virus. The virulent marker amino acids (A222, I242, Q253, I256 and S299) in the hypervariable region of the Northeastern isolates were found identical with the reported very virulent strains of IBDV. A unique insertion of I/L294V was recorded in all the isolates of the Northeastern India. The study will be useful in understanding the circulating pathotypes of IBDV in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]