Viral agents related to enteric disease in commercial chicken flocks, with special reference to Latin America

Abstract

Poultry enteric diseases are an important economic problem involving many etiologic agents, including enteric viruses. Several viral agents have been detected around the world in enteric contents isolated from commercial chicken and turkeys flocks that initially appear healthy but exhibit enteric signs, such as diarrhoea, decreased food consumption, loss of body weight, and mortality. Chicken astrovirus, avian nephritis virus, chicken parvovirus, infectious bronchitis virus, fowl adenovirus group 1, avian reovirus, and avian rotavirus have been identified in chickens with enteric diseases. However, no single virus has been established as directly causative of enteric diseases. Knowledge of these viruses is minimal, and information regarding their role in enteric diseases is also scarce. This lack of knowledge, together with the important economic impact that enteric diseases have on poultry, justify the importance of their study. In the present review, all viruses involved in enteric diseases are discussed, with greater emphasis placed on those of the most prevalent.