Astrovirus induced 'white chicks' condition - field observation, virus detection and preliminary characterization.

Astrovirus induced 'white chicks' condition - field observation, virus detection and preliminary characterization. Avian Pathol. 2015 Oct 30;:1-36 Authors: Sajewicz-Krukowska J, Pać K, Lisowska A, Minta Z, Króliczewska B, Domańska-Blicharz K Abstract Chicken astrovirus (CAstV) was recently indicated as the factor of the 'white chicks' condition associated with increased embryos/chicks mortality but also with weakness and white plumage of hatched chicks. In February 2014, organ samples (livers and kidneys) from dead-in-shell embryos, as well as 1-day-old whitish and normal chicks, were delivered from one hatchery in Poland for disease diagnosis. The samples originated from the same 30-week-old breeder flock in which the only observed anomalous signs were 4-5% decrease in the number of hatched chickens and the presence (about 1%) of weaker chicks with characteristic whitish plumage among normal ones. CAstV was detected in submitted samples and was then isolated in 10-day-old embryonated specific pathogen free (SPF) chicken eggs. We also reproduced an infection model for the 'white chicks' condition in SPF layer chickens using the isolated PL/G059/2014 strain as the infectious agent. Results of experimental reproduction of the 'white chicks' condition were somewhat more serious than field observation. The administration of the CAstV material into the yolk sac of 8-day-old SPF chicken eggs caused delay and prolongation of hatching, as...
Source: Avian Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Avian Pathol Source Type: research