<div>Background: Poultry enteritis is an important multifactorial disease. Chicken Astrovirus (CAstV) usually associated with enteritis. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of CAstV in poultry enteritis cases, its molecular characterization, phylogenetic analysis and gross and microscopic examination of intestine and liver specimen affected with CAstV. 
 
Methods: Total 604 dead poultry birds from commercial poultry farms affected with enteritis were examined for presence of CAstV. Intestinal samples of four birds were pooled to make one biological sample. CAstV was detected by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) using ORF-1b gene specific primers. Molecular characterization was carried out by partial gene sequencing. 
 
Result: CAstV was detected in 20.52% (31/151) of samples. Highest prevalence (49.29%) was observed in 0-1 week old chicks. The partial molecular characterization revealed high similarity of the nucleotide sequence from India (97% to 93%) and from USA, Brazil, Poland and Korea (94 to 92%). Further similarity of amino acid sequences of CAstV from India (100% to 98%) and from USA, Brazil, Poland and Korea (98 to 97%) was observed. Histopathological examination revealed villous atrophy, congestion and atrophic cystic glands in sub-mucosa of intestine. Further severe congestion and hemorrhages along with infiltration of inflammatory cells in liver parenchyma was observed.</div>

Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Chicken Astrovirus Associated with Poultry Enteritis

Background: Porcine astrovirus (PAstV) is an emerging pathogen detected from the feces of both healthy and diarrheic pigs with limited studies comparing the presence of PAstV and diarrhea in pigs. PAstV has been reported worldwide with a few reports from India. In addition, there are limited reports on variation in the amino acid sequence of the ORF2 region, which codes for viral capsid protein. The present study was aimed to study the presence of PAstV, association with diarrhea in pigs of various age groups and its molecular characterization from Haryana, a northern Indian state.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A total of 176 rectal swabs of pigs were collected from different parts of Haryana. The samples were screened for PAstV by RT-PCR of the partial ORF1b/ORF2 genomic region. The positive samples were characterized by molecular typing and phylogenetic analysis.&nbsp; 
 
Result: In the present study, PAstV was detected in pigs in 16.47% of fecal samples, including 21/127 (16.53%) diarrheic and 8/49 (16.32%) non-diarrheic. The results indicated that weaning piglets were more susceptible to PAstV infection followed by suckling piglets. The phylogenetic analysis revealed the circulation of PAstV4 and PAstV2 lineages in Haryana. The study revealed endemic presence of virus in the region with high genetic diversity among the PAstV strains, suggesting a wide range of heterogeneity.

Porcine Astrovirus Detection and Characterization in Healthy and Diarrheic Pigs from Haryana, India

<div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Runting-stunting syndrome (RSS) in chickens is a worldwide problem, attributed with several etiological agents. The present study aimed to identify the association of enteric viruses with RSS in different chicken flocks.&nbsp; Methods: Intestinal samples from 14 flocks of chicken of different age and breed and with or without RSS were collected randomly from necropsy samples, isolated nucleic acids, and screened for major enteric viruses by Polymerised chain reaction (PCR), using species-specific primers. Result: Chicken Parvovirus (ChPV) was identified in 100% of the flocks with RSS, in two of which ChPV alone was detected. While in others it was associated with Avian nephritis virus, Avian Rotavirus, Chicken astrovirus, and Fowl adenovirus in 80%, 50%, 30% and 10% flocks, respectively. RSS was reproduced and isolated ChPV by chicken embryo inoculation using the samples from ChPV alone infected cases. Sequence analysis of ChPV revealed closer association with Ecuodor isolates than the Asian isolates. The results indicated the presence of ChPV in Indian chicken flocks and its close association with RSS.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Molecular Identification and Characterization of Chicken Parvovirus from Indian Chicken and Association with Runting and Stunting Syndrome</div>