Advantages and limitations of diagnostic methods for avian metapneumovirus

Respiratory tract diseases are responsible for major economic losses in the poultry industry. Avian metapneumovirus is a pathogen that causes acute infections in the upper airways of turkeys and chickens, is associated with Swollen Head Syndrome, and generates variable morbidity between 1% and 20% in chickens. Turkey Rhinotracheitis has a morbidity of up to 100%. The frequent presence of secondary agents or infections associated with other microorganisms can aggravate the syndrome. The clinical diagnosis itself is not sufficient to determine metapneumovirus infections since the disease can be confused with other respiratory problems. Serological methods such as seroneutralisation, immunofluorescence and ELISA, immunohistochemistry, virus isolation from embryonated eggs or tissue cultures and PCR are the main techniques used in the diagnosis of avian metapneumovirus infections. Therefore, a laboratory diagnosis confirming the presence of this pathogen is necessary. Currently, several methods are available, with varying applications and sensitivity. This work describes the current diagnostic methods and presents their advantages and limitations.