ARS | Publication request: Enteric virus status of turkey flocks over time: molecular diagnostic studies beginning on the day of placement.

Submitted to: Western Poultry Disease Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 2, 2008
Publication Date: March 23, 2009
Citation: Day, J.M., Zsak, L., Barnes, J. 2009. Enteric virus status of turkey flocks over time: molecular diagnostic studies beginning on the day of placement [abtract].In: Proceedings of the 58th Western Poultry Disease Conference, March 23-25, 2009, Sacramento, California. p. 109.

Technical Abstract: Poultry enteric disease is often associated with numerous viral and/or bacterial infections, including avian reoviruses, rotaviruses, astroviruses, parvoviruses, and Escherichia coli. These potential etiologic agents are often present in combination in a flock or individual birds, but in general it has been difficult to associate the presence of a specific infectious agent with the appearance of enteric disease signs. The present study utilized molecular-based diagnostic tests for several turkey-origin enteric viruses to assess the colonization of five commercial turkey flocks over time. One of these flocks was the sister flock to an additional turkey flock placed at a teaching farm at North Carolina State University (North Carolina, USA), which was also monitored for enteric viruses from the day of placement. The teaching flock was negative for enteric viruses through day 12 following placement, while each of the commercial flocks was positive for at least avian astrovirus during the first week following placement. The results also suggest that the appearance of avian rotavirus in the commercial flocks during the second week following placement corresponds with enteric disease signs in those flocks by day ten.