The Emergence, Diversification, and Transmission of Subgroup J Avian Leukosis Virus Reveals that the Live Chicken Trade Plays a Critical Role in the Adaption and Endemicity of Viruses to the Yellow-Chickens
Qiaomu Deng, Qiuhong Li, Min Li, Shengbin Zhang, Peikun Wang, Fumei Fu, Weiyu Zhu, Tianchao Wei, Meilan Mo, Teng Huang, Huanmin Zhang, Ping Wei
Abstract
Although the general epidemiology of ALV-J is well studied, the ongoing evolutionary and transmission dynamics of the virus remain poorly investigated. The phylogenetic differences and relationship of the clades and subclades were characterized, and the epidemics and factors driving the geographical spread and inter-host transmission of different ALV-J clades were explored for the first time. The results indicated that the earliest ALV-J (Clade 1.1) from the United States, acted as the source for global spreads, and Clades 1.2, 1.3 and 3 were all subsequently evolved. Also the epidemiological investigation showed that the early imported breeders and the inter-region movements of live chickens facilitated the ALV-J dispersal throughout China and highlighted the needs to implement more effective containment measures.