Abstract

Background:
Newcastle disease virus (NDV), is a major avian pathogen with recognized zoonotic potential. Human infections are rare and typically mild and occur mainly in individuals with direct poultry exposure. The implementation of metagenomic sequencing in febrile illness surveillance has increased the detection of unexpected zoonotic agents.

Aim:
To describe the molecular detection and phylogenetic characterization of NDV in a cohort of pediatric patients with undifferentiated acute febrile illness (UAFI) in Colombia.

Methods:
During a 2021 cross-sectional surveillance study at the Colombian–Venezuelan border, serum samples from patients clinically suspected of having dengue were screened by qPCR for dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. Arbovirus-negative samples were pooled and analysed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing using an Illumina MiSeq platform. Viral genome identification was performed with the Genome Detective and CZ ID pipelines. Phylogenetic analyses of the fusion (F) and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) genes were conducted using maximum likelihood methods.

Results:
NDV sequences were identified in one serum pool sample. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the virus was within genotype II, clustering closely with the lentogenic LaSota strain. Epidemiological analysis revealed probable exposure to backyard poultry environment among an 8-year-old child residing in a rural area. The clinical presentation was mild and self-limiting. Local veterinary surveillance records confirmed low-virulence NDV outbreaks in the same geographic region.

Conclusion:
In this report, we showed the detection of NDV sequences in a febrile paediatric patient in the Colombian–Venezuelan border. These findings underscore the importance of integrating metagenomic diagnostics and One Health surveillance strategies for the early detection of potential emerging zoonotic viruses.

Key words: Newcastle virus; NGS; Undifferentiated acute febrile illness; Virus; Zoonosis.