Molecular Identification and Characterization of Chicken Parvovirus from Indian Chicken and Association with Runting and Stunting Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Runting-stunting syndrome (RSS) in chickens is a worldwide problem, attributed with several etiological agents. The present study aimed to identify the association of enteric viruses with RSS in different chicken flocks. Methods: Intestinal samples from 14 flocks of chicken of different age and breed and with or without RSS were collected randomly from necropsy samples, isolated nucleic acids, and screened for major enteric viruses by Polymerised chain reaction (PCR), using species-specific primers. Result: Chicken Parvovirus (ChPV) was identified in 100% of the flocks with RSS, in two of which ChPV alone was detected. While in others it was associated with Avian nephritis virus, Avian Rotavirus, Chicken astrovirus, and Fowl adenovirus in 80%, 50%, 30% and 10% flocks, respectively. RSS was reproduced and isolated ChPV by chicken embryo inoculation using the samples from ChPV alone infected cases. Sequence analysis of ChPV revealed closer association with Ecuodor isolates than the Asian isolates. The results indicated the presence of ChPV in Indian chicken flocks and its close association with RSS.