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Rotavirus F and G circulating in chickens in Southeastern Brazil

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Abstract

Rotavirus (RV) infections represent a significant cause of enteritis and diarrhea in avian species and pose a major concern for the poultry industry. However, the prevalence of rotavirus infections among birds is poorly understood. Stool samples were collected from laying and broiler hens from commercial poultry farms in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo, Southwest region of Brazil, for detection of rotavirus species F and G (RVF and RVG, respectively) by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RV was detected in 11.7% (38/325) of samples: 35 samples were positive for RVF and 3 for RVG. RVF was detected in 15 samples from Rio de Janeiro and 23 samples from Espírito Santo. RVG was detected in 3 samples from Espírito Santo. All the positive samples were from asymptomatic broiler chickens. The prevalence of RV infection in these flocks was high, especially considering that the birds had no apparent clinical disease. Silent circulation in the herds signifies the need for a continuous surveillance program to guide measures to control and prevent this viral infection. Continuous monitoring of pathogens is crucial to ensure greater productivity on poultry farms.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

This study was supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq, grants 404984/2018–5 and 301469/2018–0) and the Fundação Carlos Chagas de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (FAPERJ, grant E-26/202.909/2017). The funders were not involved in the study design, data collection, data interpretation, or the decision to submit the work for publication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, 21.947-902, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Mariana S. Pinheiro, Juliana B. L. Dias, Beatriz R. A. V. Cunha, Gabriella S. Mendes & Norma Santos

  2. Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil

    Melissa P. Petrucci & Carlos E. P. F. Travassos

  3. Departamento de Virologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho – 373, Cidade Universitária, 21.941-902, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Norma Santos

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  1. Mariana S. Pinheiro
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  2. Juliana B. L. Dias
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  3. Beatriz R. A. V. Cunha
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  4. Melissa P. Petrucci
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Contributions

Material preparation and analysis were performed by MSP, JBLD, and BRAVC. The first draft of the manuscript was written by MSP. Data collection was performed by MPP and CEPFT. GSM and CEPFT contributed to the study conception and design, and to the reviewing and editing of the manuscript. NS was responsible for the conception and design of the study, contributed substantially to data analysis and interpretation, and critically revised the manuscript for the important intellectual content. The final manuscript has been reviewed and approved by all the authors.

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Correspondence to Norma Santos.

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Statement of animal rights

This study was approved by the Animal Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (protocol 151/18).

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Pinheiro, M.S., Dias, J.B.L., Cunha, B.R.A.V. et al. Rotavirus F and G circulating in chickens in Southeastern Brazil. Trop Anim Health Prod 54, 113 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-022-03113-x

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