Retroviral infections in birds cause significant damage to poultry farming worldwide due to the initiation of oncogenesis, reduced productivity, and stunted growth. Retroviruses suppress the immunity of birds, increasing their sensitivity to other infections, which reduces the effectiveness of immunization. The most significant viruses for poultry farming are the avian leukosis virus (ALV) and the avian reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV), characterized by high genetic heterogeneity. Different genetic groups of ALV and REV significantly differ in their levels of pathogenicity and infectivity. In Kazakhstan, molecular genetic monitoring of avian retroviral infections is not conducted. To develop effective control measures, it is necessary to determine which species and genetic variants of avian retroviruses are prevalent in Kazakhstan. Many species of wild birds can be carriers of exogenous retroviruses and serve as a natural reservoir of infection, so monitoring of retroviral infections should also be conducted in the wild.
The goalis to determine which retroviruses and their genotypes circulate in the populations of domestic and wild birds in Kazakhstan and to develop effective measures to minimize the economic damage from avian retroviral infections in the country.
The genotypes of circulating avian retroviruses in the territory of Kazakhstan will be established. Phylogenetic trees of retroviruses, GIS maps of sample collection, and risk maps for REV and ALV will be constructed. DNA constructs will be created, that will include genomic regions of domestic strains of avian retroviruses. A methodological guide for the control of ALV and REV will be published.
Doctor of Veterinary Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Natural Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mamadaliev S.M.
1. Seidigapbar Mamadalievich Mamadaliev, Doctor of Veterinary Sciences (Veterinary Science), Professor, Arkhangelsk Branch of the National Central Library, Chief Researcher, Laboratory of Expertise and Diagnostics, AB NCB. Project Manager. Hirsch index: 5. ORCID: 0000-0002-7767-0251. Researcher ID: N-8389-2017. Scopus ID: 37000092700.
2. Andrey Viktorovich Zhigaylov, PhD, Associate Professor, Acting Head of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, AB NCB. Project Principal Investigator. Hirsch index: 5. ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9646-033X. Scopus ID: 6508121286. Web of Science ID: N-6073-2015.
3. Ekaterina Olegovna Ostapchuk, PhD. Head of the Laboratory of Immunology and Immunobiotechnology, AB NCB. Hirsch index: 10. ORCID: 0000-0002-3771-423X. Researcher ID: D-1254-2015. Scopus ID: 56823472400.
4. Yulia Viktorovna Perfilieva, PhD. Leading Researcher, Laboratory of Immunology and Immunobiotechnology, AB NCB. Hirsch index: 8. ORCID: 0000-0001-6803-0773. Researcher ID: H-5845-2016. Scopus ID: 56823500600.
5. Shin Anna Leonidovna. PhD. Leading Researcher, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, AB NCB. Hirsch Index: 6. ORCID: 0000-0001-9911-8233. Scopus ID: 57204860091.
6. Berdygulova Zhanna Amirovna, PhD Candidate (Biotechnology), Senior Researcher, Department of Innovation and Development, AB NCB. Hirsch Index: 5. ORCID: 0000-0003-0379-2472. Researcher ID: I-2943-2018. Scopus ID: 23977664200.
7. Mashzhan Aqzhigit Sembayuly. PhD. Leading Researcher, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, AB NCB. Hirsch index: 4. ORCID: 0000-0002-9516-5566. Researcher ID: E-2260-2016. Scopus ID: 57211535534.
8. Naizabaeva Dinara Adamzhankyzy, PhD student (biotechnology), researcher, Laboratory of Expertise and Diagnostics, AB NCB. Hirsch index: 3. ORCID: 0000-0002-0606-4289. Researcher ID: AAY-5696-2020. Scopus ID: 57218288692.
9. Prnazarova Aktolkyn Zhalgasovna. Researcher, Laboratory of Expertise and Diagnostics, AB NCB, Master of Engineering Sciences (Chemical Technology of Organic Substances).
10. Bisenbai Akerke Ongarbaikyzy, PhD student (biotechnology) of the AKB NCB, researcher at the Department of Biosafety and Biosecurity of the AKB NCB. Hirsch index: 3. ORCID: 0000-0002-7109-2534. Researcher ID: AAХ-9935-2020. Scopus ID: 57217425178.
11. Dosanova Aigul Kasimbekovna. Researcher at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology of the AKB NCB. Hirsch index: 2.
12. Malysheva Angelina Aleksandrovna, PhD student (genetics), junior researcher at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology of the AKB NCB. Hirsch index: 3. ORCID: 0000-0002-1876-6878. Researcher ID: GPF-4865-2022. Scopus ID: 58522116700.
13. Dosmagambet Zhaniya Maratkyzy, Master (biotechnology), junior researcher at the Reference Center for Sequencing and Genomic Analysis of Pathogens of Dangerous and Particularly Dangerous Infections, AB NCB. ORCID: 0000-0001-6681-4865.
14. Karina Ruslanovna Ivanova, Master’s student (biotechnology), Junior Researcher, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, AB NCB. H-index: 1. ORCID: 0000-0002-6096-2880. Researcher ID: JML-6091-2023. Scopus ID: 58521600100.
15. Artem Vadimovich Kuligin, Master of Science (Biotechnology), Junior Researcher, Laboratory of Immunology and Immunobiotechnology, AB NCB. PhD student. Hirsch index: 1. ORCID: 0000-0001-5125-3778. Researcher ID: GSE-3325-2022. Scopus ID: 58521988400.
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2025
Alignment of the nucleotide sequences of the avian retrovirus genomes: REV, ALV, and LPDV. Primers and fluorescent probes were selected for the detection and characterization of avian retrovirus RNA. Primers were synthesized, purified by HPLC, and their integrity was analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Samples (cloacal and tracheal swabs, blood, liver, and kidney samples) were collected from 47 chickens from nine farms and one poultry farm in the Almaty, Karaganda, West Kazakhstan, Akmola, and Zhetysu regions, as well as the city of Shymkent. Samples (cloacal and tracheal swabs, blood serum) were collected from 415 poultry birds, including one goose and two Muscovy ducks, on private farms in the Abay, Zhetysu, Pavlodar, Kmola, Karaganda, and Almaty regions, as well as in Almaty city.
RNA was isolated from the biological samples using Trizol. The A260/A280 ratio for all samples exceeded the threshold of 1.7. The isolated RNA was tested using classic nested and single-step RT-PCR with species-specific primers. All 412 chicken samples tested contained ALV genetic material. Twenty-nine birds were positive for REV. This marks the first time in Kazakhstan that avian retroviruses (ALV and REV) have been detected on both farms and private farms.