Avian Metapneumovirus in Thailand: Molecular Detection, Genetic Diversity, and Its Potential Threat to Poultry

Avian metapneumovirus subtype B (aMPV/B) is an economically significant pathogen in poultry, causing respiratory and reproductive disorders. In this study, 167 clinical samples were collected from commercial poultry farms across Thailand to investigate the prevalence, genetic diversity, and evolutionary dynamics of aMPV/B. Nested RT-PCR targeting the G gene revealed a positivity rate of 34.13% (57/167). Phylogenetic and Median-joining net- work analyses of sequenced amplicons identified two distinct Thai lineages: one genetically similar to vaccine strains and another of unknown origin. Divergence time analysis using a Bayesian framework estimated the time to the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) of these lineages around 2006, with further sub-lineage diversification occurring around 2009 and 2016. These findings suggest that the circulating Thai aMPV/B strains likely stem from limited introduction events followed by local evolution. Lineage-specific amino acid substitutions within the G gene were identified, which may affect antigenic properties and immune recognition. This study highlights the molecular heterogeneity and ongoing diversification of aMPV/B in Thailand and underscores the need for sustained genomic surveillance and regionally tailored vaccination strategies.