Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Endemic Poultry Viral Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #312299
Title: Enteric viruses

Author
item WU, CHING CHING - Purdue University
item Day, James

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/20/2014
Publication Date: 6/30/2016
Citation: Wu, C., Day, J.M. 2016. Enteric viruses. In: Williams, S.M., Dufour-Zavala, L., Jackwood, M.W., Lee, M.D., Lupiani, B., Reed, W.M., Spackman, E., Woolcock, P.R., editors. Isolation, Identification and Characterization of Avian Pathogens. 6th edition. Madison, WI: OmniPress, Inc. p.199-214.

Interpretive Summary: Many suspect microorganisms are associated with intestinal (enteric) disease in turkeys and chickens. These enteric diseases are characterized by clinical signs such as diarrhea and by associated growth problems in affected flocks. Many of these enteric diseases appear to be caused by viruses. This book chapter outlines the laboratory procedures for the initial identification, isolation, and characterization of the viruses commonly found associated with poultry enteric diseases.

Technical Abstract: Characteristic clinical signs associated with viral enteritis in young poultry include diarrhea, anorexia, litter eating, ruffled feathers, and poor growth. Intestines may have lesions; intestines are typically dilated and are filled with fluid and gaseous contents. The sequela to clinical disease is often stunting and/or runting of the birds resulting in uneven flocks. Various viral agents (or combinations of these agents) can cause enteric disease and/or have been identified from the intestinal contents of birds with enteric disease. Those viruses that cause and/or are associated with enteric diseases of young poultry include astroviruses, coronaviruses, enteroviruses, rotaviruses, and torovirus.