Genetic characterization of parvoviruses circulating in turkey and chicken flocks in Poland

Between 2008 and 2011, commercial turkey and chicken flocks in Poland were examined for the presence of turkey parvovirus (TuPV) and chicken parvovirus (ChPV). Clinical samples (10 individual faecal swabs/flock) from 197 turkey flocks (turkeys aged 1 to 19 weeks) and 45 chicken flocks (chickens aged 3 to 17 weeks) were collected in different regions of the country and tested using a PCR assay that targeted the NS1 gene (3’ORF). The prevalence of TuPV was 29.4 % in the flocks tested, while ChPV infections were found in 22.2 % of the studied flocks. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a clear division into three groups: ChPV-like, TuPV-like and a third, previously unrecognized and distinct subgroup, TuPV-LUB, containing exclusively three Polish isolates from turkeys. The isolates from the novel group showed as little as 50.6-64.5 % of nucleotide sequence identity to the prototype chicken and turkey parvovirus strains. Genetic analysis of a ChPV isolate that was classified in the TuPV group strongly suggests a recombination event between chicken and turkey parvoviruses

One-year molecular survey of astrovirus infection in turkeys in Poland

The presence of turkey astrovirus (TAstV) was monitored in meat-type turkey flocks in Poland in 2008. Clinical samples (10 individual faecal swabs/flock) from 77 flocks aged 1-19 weeks were collected from different regions of the country. RT-PCR experiments were performed for detection and molecular characterization of TAstV using four sets of primers within the RdRp gene (ORF1b). The prevalence of astrovirus was 34/77 (44.15%) in the flocks tested. TAstV type 2 was associated with 30 of 77 infections (38.9%), either alone or in mixed infections; TAstV type 1 was detected in 9 of 77 flocks (11.6%), either alone or in mixed infections; ANV was detected only in one flock (1.29%) by sequence analysis during this study. Phylogenetic analysis revealed genetic variability in the TAstV strains that were isolated. Some of Polish TAstV-2 strains were genetically related to the North American isolates; however, most of them formed a distinct subgroup of “European” isolates, suggesting their separate origin or evolution. Additionally, due to the high variability of the TAstV sequences, the most suitable method for TAstV typing seems to be sequencing