Velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease virus strains in Morocco.

Isolates of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in Morocco were characterized as velogenic. Two isolates were from tracheal swabs taken at a Moroccan live poultry market, and four isolates were from field cases. Infection of 8-week-old chickens showed that these isolates and previously characterized Moroccan isolates were of the viscerotropic pathotype. Based on hemagglutinin thermostability and the capacity to agglutinate equine erythrocytes, the Moroccan velogenic viscerotropic NDV isolates were classified as belonging to at least three distinct strains.