Characterization of Marek’s disease virus and phylogenetic analyses of meq gene from an outbreak in poultry in Meghalaya of Northeast India

The aim of the present study was to characterize the virus from the lesions and histopathology of organs associated with mortality in Kuroiler (dual purpose variety of poultry developed and marketed by Keggfarms Pvt. Ltd, India) birds suspected of Marek’s disease. Among 1047 birds from two farms of different location with 5.5 and 34% mortality, two types of lesion were observed in post mortem examination; tumors in vital organs—liver, spleen, kidney, lung and ovaries and generalized small nodular tumour in the abdominal cavity. Molecular characterization based on detection of ICP4 gene showed the presence of Marek’s disease virus (MDV) from tissues and cell culture adapted isolates in Madin Darby Canine Kidney cell lines. Histopathological examination revealed multinucleated immature lymphoid cells infiltration in the organs. Phylogenetic analysis of the isolates based on meq gene showed the isolates belongs to cluster I genotype of MDV. This is for the first time the MDV virus is characterized from an outbreak in the poultry flock in farmer’s field affecting production in Meghalaya state of North east India.