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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Endemic Poultry Viral Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #285446
Title: Chicken parvovirus-induced runting-stunting syndrome in young broilers

Author
item Zsak, Laszlo
item Cha, Ra Mi
item Day, James

Submitted to: Avian Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/19/2012
Publication Date: 10/22/2012
Citation: Zsak, L., Cha, R., Day, J.M. 2013. Chicken parvovirus-induced runting-stunting syndrome in young broilers. Avian Diseases. 57(1):123-127. doi: 10.1637/10371-091212-ResNote.1.

Interpretive Summary: Naturally occurring parvovirus infection in avian species is frequently associated with outbreaks of diarrhea in poultry, and is often found in association with a recognized enteric disease syndrome such as runting-stunting syndrome in poultry. The economic impact of parvovirus-associated enteric disease to the poultry industry is not clear, but non-specific enteric disease with possible viral cause is an ongoing industry burden. This study demonstrate that experimental infection with chicken parvovirus can induce severe enteric disease in broiler chickens.

Technical Abstract: Previously we identified a novel parvovirus from enteric contents of chickens that were affected by enteric diseases. Comparative sequence analysis showed that the chicken parvovirus (ChPV) represented a new member in the Parvoviridae family. Here, we describe some of the pathogenic characteristics of ChPV in young broilers. Following experimental infection, 2-day-old broiler chickens showed characteristic signs of enteric disease. Runting-stunting syndrome (RSS) was observed in four of five experimental groups with significant growth retardation between 7 and 28 days postinoculation (DPI). Viral growth in small intestine and shedding was detected at early times postinoculation, which was followed by viremia and generalization of infection. ChPV could be detected in most of the major tissues for 3 to 4 week postinoculation. Immunohistochemistry staining revealed parvovirus-positive cells in the duodenum of inoculated birds at 7 and 14 DPI. Our data indicate that ChPV alone induces RSS in broilers and is important determinant in the complex etiology of enteric diseases of poultry.