Detection of avian rotavirus-like virus in broiler chickens in Bangladesh

Abstract

The presence of rotavirus infection in broiler chickens (1-2 weeks old) was studied. A total of 232 faecal specimens were collected during the period from July to September 2004 and examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining (PAGE-ss) technique for the presence of rotavirus dsRNA in the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The total prevalence of rotavirus infection in broiler chickens was in Gazipur 2.43% and 0% in Mymensingh. In the two specimens positive for avian rotavirus (ARV), identical and peculiar RNA patterns were observed and were not similar to those for groups A, D, or F, but  partially similar to that of group G rotavirus, suggesting that these viruses may belong to novel rotavirus group. Additional studies on more numbers of strains obtained from different flocks will be necessary to substantiate the notable observation.

Key words: Avian rotavirus-like virus, broiler chickens

DOI = 10.3329/bjvm.v4i2.1287

Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2006). 4 (2): 73â77