What question did this study set out to answer?

To characterize the genome and phylogenetic relationships of pigeon circovirus in racing pigeons from Heilongjiang, China.

January 10, 2026Frontiers in Veterinary Science0 citationsOpen Access

Whole-genome characterization and phylogenetic analysis of pigeon circovirus in racing pigeons from Heilongjiang, China

JSJia SunHeilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University YMYan MiaoShanghai Children's Medical Center SLShijie LanHeilongjiang Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Key Result

The complete genome sequence of pigeon circovirus strain HLJ2024 revealed significant evolutionary changes and recombination in Northern China, with notable capsid protein mutations.

Key Points

To characterize the genome and phylogenetic relationships of pigeon circovirus in racing pigeons from Heilongjiang, China.
Isolated pigeon circovirus from racing pigeons in Heilongjiang Province.
Conducted next-generation sequencing for whole-genome assembly.
Performed systematic PCR-Sanger sequencing for validation of the genome.
Conducted phylogenetic and recombination analyses on the strains.
Obtained the complete 2,035-bp genome of pigeon circovirus strain HLJ2024.
Identified nucleotide identities of 72.9–97.7% with other known PiCV strains.
Found a signature mutation in the capsid protein at residue 222.
Classified strain HLJ2024 into an independent clade while relating it to clade GII strains.
Recombination suggested HLJ2024 originated from two Chinese parental strains.

Structured PICO

Population

22 deceased racing pigeons from a farm in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province, China, of which 6 were PiCV-positive and 1 representative sample was selected for whole-genome sequencing

Outcome

Complete genome sequence, phylogenetic relationships, and recombination events of PiCV strain HLJ2024

The first complete genome characterization of pigeon circovirus in Northeast China reveals active viral evolution driven by point mutations and inter-regional recombination.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Pigeon circovirus (PiCV), a globally distributed pathogen, is associated with immunosuppression and high mortality in racing pigeons. Despite its endemicity in Chinese pigeon populations, molecular epidemiological data on PiCV in Northeast China remain scarce. This study reports the first complete genome sequence of PiCV isolated from racing pigeons in Heilongjiang Province. Through next-generation sequencing (NGS) for whole-genome assembly and systematic PCR-Sanger sequencing for validation, we obtained the complete 2,035-bp genome (designated HLJ2024). Homology analysis revealed nucleotide identities of 72.9–97.7% with other PiCV reference strains; notably, the cap (Capsid) protein of HLJ2024 exhibited a signature mutation (isoleucine I-leucine L) at residue 222 relative to its closest relative strain TF4/SN/2016, with predicted structural alterations proximal to this site. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain HLJ2024 forms an independent clade (GI) and is closely related to strains of clade GII (TF4/SN/2016, QD6/SN/2018). Recombination analysis suggested that HLJ2024 likely arose from recombination between two Chinese parental strains-GF17/GuangDong/2014 (major parent) and TY2/SN/2016 (minor parent). Our findings reveal active PiCV evolution in Northern China driven by point mutations and inter-regional recombination, providing critical insights into viral adaptability and transmission dynamics in Northeast China. These results provide a foundation for molecular epidemiology-based surveillance of PiCV in this understudied region and hold significant implications for developing targeted prevention strategies tailored to locally circulating strains.

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