Cross-species transmission of poultry pathogens in backyard farms: ducks as carriers of chicken viruses.

Cross-species transmission of poultry pathogens in backyard farms: ducks as carriers of chicken viruses. Avian Pathol. 2019 Jun 14;:1-28 Authors: Pauly M, Snoeck CJ, Phoutana V, Keosengthong A, Sausy A, Khenkha L, Nouanthong P, Samountry B, Jutavijittum P, Vilivong K, Hübschen JM, Black AP, Pommasichan S, Muller CP Abstract In backyard farms of Lao People's Democratic Republic, mixed-species rearing of poultry is a breeding-ground for cross-species transmission. Here, the epidemiology of viruses circulating among backyard poultry in Vientiane Province was assessed to guide future control strategies. Oral/tracheal and cloacal swabs, collected from 605 poultry (308 ducks, 297 chickens) between 2011 and 2015, were screened by PCR for Newcastle disease virus (NDV), Coronavirus (CoV) and Chicken Anemia Virus (CAV). Chicken sera were screened for anti-NDV antibodies by ELISA. Statistical and phylogenetic analyses revealed transmission patterns and relationships. Closely related strains co-circulated in chickens and ducks. While CoV RNA was detected in oral/tracheal swabs of 9.3% of the chickens and 2.4% of the ducks, rates were higher in fecal swabs of both species (27.3% and 48.2%). RNA of Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and duck CoV was found in fecal swabs of chickens (19.7% and 7.1%) and of ducks (4.1% and 44.1%). Moreover, DNA of the generally chicken-specific CAV was detected in oral/tracheal swabs of chickens (18.1%) and sporadic...
Source: Avian Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Avian Pathol Source Type: research