MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF ASTROVIRUSES AND ROTAVIRUSES DETECTED IN TURKEY FLOCKS FROM HATCH TO 12 WEEKS OF AGE

Authors: PANTIN JACKWOOD, MARY; Spackman, Erica; DAY, JAMES

Submitted to: Western Poultry Disease Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/14/2005
Publication Date: 3/5/2006
Citation: Pantin Jackwood, M.J., Spackman, E., Day, J.M. 2006. Molecular characterization of astroviruses and rotaviruses detected in turkey flocks from hatch to 12 weeks of age. In: Proceedings of the 55th Western Poultry Disease Conference, March 5-8, 2006, Sacramento, California. p.51-52

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Phylogenetic analysis was performed on astroviruses and rotaviruses detected in a study done to determine the prevalence of enteric viruses in commercial turkey farms. Intestinal contents were collected from turkeys before placement, and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age. The samples were screened for astrovirus, rotavirus, reovirus, and coronavirus by RT-PCR, and for adenovirus by PCR. Samples collected before placement of the poults in the farms were positive for rotaviruses. Samples collected at all other time points were positive for rotavirus and astrovirus. Genetic analysis of the positive samples was performed by partial sequence analysis of both the polymerase and capsid genes of the astroviruses and the NSP4 gene of the rotaviruses. Tremendous variability in the astroviruses genes was present in the samples studied, and turkey astrovirus 1 (TAstV-1), turkey astrovirus 2 (TAst-2), and also avian nephritis virus (ANV) were identified. Although the NSP4 gene of the avian rotavirus appears to be quite conserved, at least three different rotaviruses seem to be circulating in the farms. In conclusion, the presence of rotaviruses and astroviruses in commercial turkeys is more common than previously reported, with more than one type of each virus circulating in the farms.