Reovirus-associated enteritis in Georgia broiler chicks

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Avian Medicine
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Runting Stunting Syndrome (RSS) is a significant concern in commercial broiler chicks.
• Intestinal lesions are a hallmark of RSS, but specific causative agents are often debated.
• Reovirus has been observed in affected birds, prompting investigation into its role.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the histopathological findings in the small intestines of broiler chicks with RSS.
• To propose a standardized terminology for cases involving reovirus and intestinal pathology.
• To differentiate these lesions from those caused by enterovirus-like particles.

Main Methods:

• Histopathological examination of small intestinal tissues from clinically ill broiler chicks.
• Microscopic evaluation for characteristic lesions and presence of reovirus.
• Comparative analysis with lesions caused by other enteric pathogens.

Main Results:

• Detailed description of histopathological changes in the small intestines of affected chicks.
• Identification of reovirus within the intestinal lesions.
• Observation that the observed pathology may not represent a direct cause-and-effect relationship with reovirus.

Conclusions:

• The histopathology of reovirus-infected small intestines in broiler chicks with RSS is characterized.
• A new term, reovirus-associated enteritis (RAE), is proposed for similar future cases.
• RAE requires differentiation from enteritis caused by enterovirus-like particles.