Overview of Avian Nephritis Viral Infections
- Avian Nephritis Viral Infections
- Overview of Avian Nephritis Viral Infections
Avian nephritis viral infections are contagious infections of chickens characterized by renal damage and visceral urate deposits, growth retardation, and limited mortality (0–10%). They are seen mainly in chickens <7 days old, but interstitial nephritis can be seen in chicks as old as 4 wk. These infections have been reported worldwide. Subclinical infections are common and have been detected by serologic surveys in some SPF flocks and in turkeys.
Etiology and Transmission:
The causal viruses are avian nephritis viruses (ANVs, which are astroviruses), some of which were previously recognized as enterovirus-like viruses (ELVs). There is some evidence that a taxonomically distinct astrovirus, chicken astrovirus (CAstV), also causes kidney disease and growth retardation. The descriptions below relate to ANV only. Strains of ANV vary in virulence and in antigenicity. Transmission occurs by direct or indirect contact. Indirect evidence suggests that egg transmission may occur. Infection can be transmitted by oral administration of virus to day-old birds. Virus is consistently isolated from the kidneys or feces during the first 10 days after infection.
Clinical Findings:
Clinical signs vary from none to mortality resulting from kidney disease or severe growth retardation. Diarrhea and growth retardation are common in broilers. Outbreaks with mortality of 0–10% can occur in chicks newly hatched to as old as 7 days; cardinal necropsy findings are renal damage and visceral urate deposits (baby chick nephropathy).
Lesions:
Nephritis is a common necropsy finding. Gross and microscopic lesions are often seen in the kidneys. Swelling, paleness, or yellowish discoloration with excessive urate deposition is frequent. Histologic lesions consist of a degeneration of the epithelial cells with infiltration of granulocytes, interstitial lymphocyte infiltration, and moderate fibrosis. In the latter stages, lymphoid follicles develop.
Some ANVs, formerly known as ELVs, induce only intestinal lesions varying from decreased length of the microvillus border to total desquamation of the intestinal epithelium.
Diagnosis:
Nephropathogenic strains of infectious bronchitis virus (see Infectious Bronchitis) and CAstV isolates also cause interstitial nephritis. Therefore, when nephritis is diagnosed, it is necessary to isolate the causative agent.
ANV and related viruses may be isolated by inoculation of suspected material (kidney or rectal contents) in the yolk sac of SPF chick embryos and in chick kidney cells. However, many ANVs are difficult to isolate. The best way to detect ANV is by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR or real-time, quantitative RT-PCR of kidney or gut content samples. These tests are designed to detect multiple strains and allow quick differentiation from other viruses.
Serologic diagnosis can be made using direct or indirect immunofluorescence, seroneutralization, or ELISA tests, but these may detect only a limited number of strains of ANV because of its high antigenic diversity.
Treatment and Prevention:
- Avian Nephritis Viral Infections
- Overview of Avian Nephritis Viral Infections
Also of Interest
Test your knowledge
Which of the following diseases is ubiquitous in almost every chicken flock throughout the world?