Epidemiology of rotavirus infection in broiler chickens: recognition of four serogroups

In a longitudinal survey of 11 broiler flocks, rotavirus excretion was detected by direct electron microscopic examination of faeces in 10. In most of these flocks, rotavirus excretion was first detected during the third week of life. In some flocks, infection with 2 antigenically distinct serogroups of rotavirus was demonstrated. In a more detailed survey of a 34,000 bird broiler crop, rotavirus excretion was detected intermittently from 9-50 days. Infection with 4 different RNA electropherotypes of rotavirus occurred in waves with each wave of infection lasting about 1 week. Analysis of representatives of the 4 different electropherotypes by cross-immunofluorescence indicated that each electropherotype represented an antigenically distinct serogroup. Two of these serogroups were represented by the previously characterised Ch 1 and 132 chicken rotavirus isolates. The other 2 serogroups have not been previously recognised.