Relevance

Avian infectious bronchitis (AIB) is an acute, highly contagious respiratory disease of poultry of all species and ages, causing enormous damage to the poultry industry around the world. Infectious bronchitis virus(IBV) that causes the infection is highly variable; many serotypes are known. Infection or immunization with one serotype provides only partial protection against infection caused by other serotypes of the virus. Molecular genetic monitoring of AIB is not carried out in Kazakhstan. To develop effective infection control measures, it is necessary to identify the genetic variants of IBV circulating throughout the country. Application of a homologous vaccine against viral strains circulating in the given area is the best way to control infection. Some representatives of wild birds can be carriers of the infection and act as a natural reservoir of infection. Therefore, AIB monitoring must also be carried out in wild bird populations.

The goal of the project is to find out which genotypes and serotypes of gammacoronaviruses circulate in populations of domestic and wild birds in Kazakhstan and develop effective measures to minimize economic damage from AIB in the country.

Expected Results

• Detect RNA of IBV in samples from sick chickens from poultry farms showing symptoms of respiratory infections.
• Collect biological samples from wild birds and detect coronavirus RNA in them.
• Collect biological samples from poultry on public farms and carry out the serological and PCR analysis.Perform genetic characterization of identified avian coronaviruses. Clone the genome sections of individual genetic variants of gammacoronaviruses.
• Conduct risk analysis, zoning and regionalization of the territory of Kazakhstan in accordance with the intensity of the epidemiological situation regarding AIB. Develop methodological guidelines for monitoring of AIB in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Project manager

Andrey Zhigailov V., Associate professor, project supervisor, acting Head of the Laboratory of Molecular biology of AF NCB. H-index: 5. ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9646-033X. Scopus ID: 6508121286. Web of science ID: N-6073-2015.

Executive team members

Berdygulova Zhanna A., PhD student (biotechnology) – responsible executor of the project, senior researcher at the Department of Innovations and Developments of the AF NCB. Hi: 5. ORCID: 0000-0003-0379-2472. Researcher ID: I-2943-2018. Scopus ID: 23977664200.

Maltseva Elina R., PhD student (biotechnology), leading researcher, head of department of the AF NCB.  Hi: 5. ORCID: 0000-0001-9198-695X. Researcher ID: N-4309-2017. Scopus ID: 57202717826.

Skiba Yuriy A., PhD in Biology (molecular biology), Head of the AF NCB. Hi: 8. ORCID: 0000-0003-4895-1473. Scopus ID: 56677594900. Researcher ID: H-6528-2017.

Mamadaliev Seidigapbar M., Doctor of Veterinary Sciences (veterinary science), Professor, AF NCB, Chief Researcher, Laboratory of Expertise and Diagnostics, AF NCB. Hi: 5. ORCID: 0000-0002-7767-0251. Researcher ID: N-8389-2017. Scopus ID: 37000092700. Total: 69 citations.

Naizabaeva Dinara A., PhD student (biotechnology), research fellow at the Laboratory of Expertise and Diagnostics of the National Center of Biotechnology. Hi: 3. ORCID: 0000-0002-0606-4289. Researcher ID:  AAY-5696-2020. Scopus ID: 57218288692.

Bissenbay Akerke O., PhD student (biotechnology) AF NCB, research fellow of the Department of Biosafety and Biosecurity AF NCB. Hi: 3. ORCID: 0000-0002-7109-2534. Researcher ID:  AAХ-9935-2020. Scopus ID: 57217425178.

Mylysheva Angelina A., PhD student (genetics), junior researcher at the laboratory of molecular biology of the AF NCB. Hi: 3. ORCID: 0000-0002-1876-6878. Researcher ID: GPF-4865-2022. Scopus ID: 58522116700.

Kan Sofia A., PhD student (biotechnology), junior researcher Laboratory of Immunology and Immunobiotechnology AF NCB. Hi: 1. ORCID: 0000-0002-1876-6878. Researcher ID: GPF-4865-2022. Scopus ID: 58522116700.

Dosmagambet Zhaniya M., Master’s student (biotechnology), junior researcher at the Reference Center for Sequencing and Genomic Analysis of Pathogens of Dangerous and Particularly Dangerous Infections of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention. ORCID: 0000-0001-6681-4865.

Ivanova Karina R., Master’s student (biotechnology), laboratory assistant of the laboratory of molecular biology of the AF NCB. Hi: 1. ORCID: 0000-0002-6096-2880. Researcher ID: JML-6091-2023. Scopus ID: 58521600100.

Kuligin Artem V., Master’s student (biotechnology), laboratory assistant Laboratory of Immunology and Immunobiotechnology of the AF NCB. Hi: 1. ORCID: 0000-0001-5125-3778. Researcher ID: GSE-3325-2022. Scopus ID: 58521988400. Всего – 2 цитирований.

Publications of the project manager and members of the research team on the topic of the project

1. Zhigailov A.V. (1-й автор), Maltseva E.R., Perfilyeva Y.V., Ostapchuk Y.O., Naizabayeva D.A., Berdygulova Zh.A., Kuatbekova S.A., Nizkorodova A.S., Mashzhan A.S., Gavrilov A.E., Abayev A.Zh., Akhmetollayev I.A., Mamadaliyev S.M., Skiba Y.A. Prevalence a genetic diversity of coronaviruses, astroviruses and paramyxoviruses in wild birds in southeastern Kazakhstan. Heliyon. 2022;8(11):e11324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11324. (IF – 3.665; Web of Science – Q1 (Multidisciplinary Sciences); Scopus CiteScore – 5.4, (82%, Infectious Diseases)).
2. Zhigailov A.V. (1-й автор), Perfilyeva Y.V., Ostapchuk Y.O., Kan S.A., Lushova A.V., Kuligin A.V., Ivanova K.R., Kuatbekova S.A., Abdolla N., Naizabayeva D.A., Maltseva E.R., Berdygulova Z.A., Mashzhan A.S., Zima Y.A., Nizkorodova A.S., Skiba Y.A., Mamadaliyev S.M. Molecular and serological survey of bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in cattle in Kazakhstan. Research in Veterinary Science. 2023;162:104965. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.104965. (IF-2.4; Web of Science – Q1 (Veterinary Sciences); Scopus CiteScore – 4.1 (86% General Veterinary)).
3. Zhigailov A.V. (1 автор), Perfilyeva Y.V., Ostapchuk Y.O., Kulemin M.V., Ivanova K.R., Abdolla N., Kan S.A., Maltseva E.R., Berdygulova Zh.A., Naizabayeva D.A., Skiba Y.A., Mamadaliyev S.M. Molecular detection and characterization of bovine viral diarrhea virus type 2 and bluetongue virus 9 in forest flies (Hippobosca equina) collected from livestock in southern Kazakhstan. Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports. 2023;45:100932. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100932. (IF-2.52; Web of Science – Q2 (Veterinary Sciences); Scopus – CiteScore 1.51 (70% General Veterinary)).
4. Zhigailov A.V (1-й автор), Perfilyeva Y.V., Maltseva E.R., Ostapchuk Y.O., Cherusheva A.S., Naizabayeva D.A., Nizkorodova A.S., Berdygulova Zh.A., Mashzhan A.S., Bissenbay A.O., Kuatbekova S.A., Koshemetov Zh.K., Abdolla N., Skiba Y.A., Mamadaliyev S.M. Identification and characterization of bluetongue virus in Culicoides spp. and clinically healthy livestock in southeastern Kazakhstan. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. 2022;90-91:101895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101895. (IF – 2.729, Web of Science – Q1 (Veterinary Science); Scopus CiteScore – 3.7 (86%, Infectious Diseases)).
5. Zhigailov A.V. (first author), Neupokoyeva A.S., Maltseva E.R., Perfilyeva Y.V., Bissenbay A.O., Turebekov N.A., Frey S., Essbauer S., Abdiyeva K.S., Ostapchuk Y.O., Berdygulova Z.A., Aimbetov R.S., Naizabayeva D.A., Dmitrovskiy A.M., Skiba Y.A., Mamadaliyev S.M. The prevalence of Borrelia in Ixodes persulcatus in southeastern Kazakhstan. Ticks Tick Borne Diseases. 2021;12(4):101716. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101716. (IF – 3.817; Web of Science – Q2 (Infectious Diseases); Scopus CiteScore – 6.5 (72% Infectious Diseases)).
6. Ostapchuk Y.O., Perfilyeva Y.V., Zhigailov A.V., Maltseva E.R., Neupokoyeva A.S., Bissenbay A.O., Berdygulova Z.A., Naizabayeva D.A., Nizkorodova A.S., Shapiyeva Z.Z., Yegemberdiyeva R.A., Kuznetsova T.V., Kuatbekova S., Akanova A., Ismagulova G.A., Mamadaliyev S.M., Dmitrovskiy A.M., Skiba Y.A. Monitoring of pathogenic Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in the Almaty oblast, Kazakhstan. Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2021;12(4):101725.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101725. (IF – 3.817; Web of Science – Q2 (Infectious Diseases); Scopus CiteScore – 6.5 (72% Infectious Diseases)).
7. Perfilyeva Y.V., Berdygulova Zh,A., Mashzhan A.S., Zhigailov A.V., Ostapchuk Y.O., Naizabayeva D.A., Cherusheva A.S., Bissenbay A.O., Kuatbekova S.A., Abdolla N., Nizkorodova A.S., Kulemin M.V., Shapiyeva Zh.Zh., Sayakova Z.Z., Perfilyeva A.V., Akhmetollayev I.A., Maltseva E.R., Skiba Y.A., Mamadaliyev S.M., Dmitrovskiy A.M. Molecular and seroepidemiological investigation of Сoxiella burnetii and spotted fever group rickettsiae in the southern region of Kazakhstan. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases. 2023;14:102240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102240. (IF – 3.817; Web of Science – Q2 (Infectious Diseases); Scopus CiteScore – 6.5 (72%, Infectious Diseases)).

Achieved Results

1. A computer analysis of the nucleotide sequences of bird coronavirus genomes has been conducted. Universal primers have been selected for the detection of bird coronaviruses (locus RdRp), their typing (locus Hel) and for genetic characterization of IBV (locus S).
2. RNA was extracted from biological samples (cloacal and tracheal swabs, trachea samples, lung samples) obtained from 10 chickens from the Almaty oblast and 10 chickens from the Kostanay oblast. RNA was analyzed by RT-PCR for the presence of IBV. Samples from 5 chickens (50%) showed the presence of IBV RNA. To check whether the infection is single or combined, PCR-positive samples for IBV were also tested for other agents of avian respiratory infections (NDV, AIV, ILTV, AMPV, WNV, mycoplasmas and chlamydia). Thus, for the first time in the population of domestic birds in the territory of Kazakhstan, the infectious bronchitis virus of chickens, IBV, has been detected.
3. Biological samples (tracheal and cloacal swabs) were collected from 400 wild birds in the Almaty and Zhambyl regions, and their species identification was conducted. Total RNA was extracted from all samples, which were tested using the classical semi-nested RT-PCR method for the presence of avian coronavirus RNA. Three RT-PCR positive samples were identified (0.75%; 95% CI: 0.15-2.18%). PCR typing was performed, and all three samples were classified as deltacoronaviruses.

Publications and methodological developments

Publications for 2024

1. Kopochenya M., Astemirov B., Ivanova K., Naizabayeva D., Zhigailov A. Newcastle Disease Virus VII.2 First Record in Kazakhstan // American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences. – 2024. – Vol.19, No.3. – P. 290-298. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajavsp.2024.290.298.  (Scopus – 57%; Web of Science – Q3; Impact Factor – 0.99).
2. Zhigaylov A., Maltseva E., Ivanova K., Berdygulova Z., Gavrilov A., Kopochenya M., Skiba Y. Study of the genetic diversity of coronaviruses circulating in populations of wild and domestic birds in the territory of Kazakhstan  // Eurasian Journal of Applied Biotechnology (ISSN: 2617-1147). – 2024. – Т.3S. – С. 151. https://doi.org/10.11134/btp.3S.2024.139 (thesis of the Astana Biotech 2024 conference, September 12-13, 2024).