ARS | Publication request: Multiplex RT-PCR for the detection of Astroviruses and Rotaviruses in Poultry

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 25, 2006
Publication Date: January 23, 2007
Citation: Stephens, C.B., Pantin Jackwood, M.J., Spackman, E., Day, J.M. 2007. Multiplex RT-PCR for the detection of astroviruses and rotaviruses in poultry [abstract]. Southern Conference on Avian Diseases. p. 32.

Technical Abstract: Viral enteric diseases cause substantial economic loss to the US poultry industry because they lead to decreased weight gain, increased morbidity, increased mortality, and increased production costs from poor feed conversions and increased use of therapeutic anti-microbial treatments. Astroviruses and rotaviruses are among the most commonly detected viruses found in chicken and turkey intestinal samples. Two multiplex RT-PCR tests for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of four avian astrovirus types and avian rotaviruses from feces and intestinal samples from poultry were developed and validated. The multiplex RT-PCR for chicken samples detects Avian Nephritis Virus (ANV), Chicken Astrovirus (CAstV) and Rotavirus. The multiplex RT-PCR for turkey samples detects Turkey Astrovirus 1 (TAstV-1), Turkey Astrovirus 2 (TAstV-2), Avian Nephritis Virus (ANV) and Rotavirus. Assay detection limits for each virus were determined. An evaluation of different sampling times and types for each virus was performed with experimentally infected chickens and poults. The multiplex RT-PCR’s developed were successfully used in a survey on enteric viruses circulating in poultry in the United States.