Molecular characterization of avian rotaviruses circulating in Italian poultry flocks

Avian rotaviruses are still largely undefined despite being widespread in several avian species and despite the economic impact of rotavirus (RV) enteritis in poultry flocks<i>.</i> In this study, the presence of different avian RV groups was investigated in commercial poultry flocks reared in Northern and Central Italy and with a history of enteric diseases. Faeces or intestinal contents from different avian species previously found to contain RV particles by electron microscopy (EM) were analysed by both RNA-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction specific for groups A, D, F and G RVs. Group D avian RV was detected in 107 of 117 samples tested (91.5%), whereas groups A, F and G avian RVs were present in 70 (59%), 61 (52.1%) and 31 (26.5%) samples, respectively. Multiple presence of different RV groups was detected in 83% of samples. This study provides novel data on the prevalence of genetically different avian RVs in Italian poultry flocks. This information is useful to elucidate the epidemiology of avian RVs circulating in Italy.

禽轮状病毒（avian rotaviruses）目前仍在很大程度上未被充分阐明，尽管其在多种禽类中广泛传播，且轮状病毒（RV）肠炎给家禽群造成了经济影响。本研究针对意大利北部与中部地区饲养的、存在肠道疾病病史的商业家禽群，调查了不同禽轮状病毒群的流行情况。研究对此前经电子显微镜（EM）检测出轮状病毒颗粒的多种禽类的粪便或肠道内容物，采用RNA聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳（RNA-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis）以及针对A、D、F、G群轮状病毒的特异性逆转录聚合酶链式反应（reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction）进行分析。结果显示，117份受检样本中有107份检出D群禽轮状病毒，检出率达91.5%；A、F、G群禽轮状病毒的检出率分别为59%（70份）、52.1%（61份）与26.5%（31份）。另有83%的样本同时检出多种不同群的轮状病毒。本研究获取了意大利家禽群中基因分型各异的禽轮状病毒的流行率新数据，相关信息可为阐明意大利境内流行的禽轮状病毒的流行病学特征提供参考依据。