Partial characterization of an adenovirus-like virus isolated from broiler chickens with transmissible viral proventriculitis.
Transmissible viral proventriculitis (TVP) was experimentally reproduced in specific-pathogen-free chickens using a homogenate of proventricular tissue obtained from TVP-affected commercial broiler chickens. Thin-section electron microscopy revealed intranuclear, approximately 70-nanometer (nm), adenovirus-like viruses (AdLV) within proventricular lesions. The AdLV, designated AdLV (R11/3), could not be propagated using various avian and mammalian cell cultures or by inoculation of embryonated chicken eggs by yolk, allantoic, or chorioallantoic membrane routes. However, AdLV (R11/3) was successfully propagated by amniotic inoculation of embryonated chicken eggs, with detection of the virus in proventriculi and intestinal contents of hatched 2-day-old chicks (8 days postinoculation). Virus propagation was evident in in ovo-inoculated chicks by (1) gross and microscopic lesions in proventriculi consistent with TVP, (2) immunohistochemical localization of AdLV (R11/3) antigens in proventricular epithelium, (3) thin-section electron microscopic detection of intranuclear, approximately 70-nm AdLVs within proventricular epithelium, and (4) negative-stain electron microscopic detection of extracellular, approximately 70-nm AdLVs in intestinal contents. Indirect immunofluorescence and polymerase chain reaction procedures that specifically recognize groups I, II, and III avian adenoviruses failed to recognize AdLV (R11/3). The findings suggest an etiologic role for AdLV (R11/3) in TVP and indicate that this virus is distinct from known avian adenoviruses.
Guy
James S
JS
Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA.
Barnes
H John
HJ
Smith
Lynda
L
Owen
Robert
R
Fuller
Frederick J
FJ
D000257:Adenoviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000635:transmission* / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D000818:Animals; D000259:Aviadenovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002645:Chickens / Q000821:virology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D011531:Proventriculus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary