Exploring the Gut Virus Profile in Healthy Farm Chickens

Greg Howard
25th June, 2024

Exploring the Gut Virus Profile in Healthy Farm Chickens

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study from Durban University of Technology analyzed the RNA virome in healthy chickens from South Africa
  • Researchers identified various RNA viral families in chickens, including Picornaviridae, Reoviridae, Astroviridae, and Coronaviridae
  • The abundance of certain viral families, like Astroviridae, decreased with age, while others, like Picornaviridae, increased
Recent research from the Durban University of Technology has provided new insights into the RNA virome of chickens, particularly focusing on the African continent where such studies are relatively scarce[1]. RNA viruses, known for their genetic diversity and instability, pose significant challenges in poultry farming due to seasonal outbreaks causing severe losses. This study leverages advancements in viral metagenomics to characterize the entire virome of chickens, offering a comprehensive view of the viral landscape in domesticated birds. The study addresses the critical gap in understanding the RNA virome composition in chickens, which has been limited due to the unstable nature of RNA viruses and the difficulties associated with their characterization. By using advanced sequencing technologies, the researchers were able to identify and characterize the complete set of RNA viruses present in chickens, providing valuable data that could help mitigate the impacts of viral outbreaks in poultry. Previous studies have highlighted the complexity of microbial communities in the poultry gut and their significant impact on poultry performance, disease status, and animal welfare[2]. For instance, investigations have shown that the gut bacterial community influences gut development, immune status, and overall health, which are critical indicators of poultry performance. Additionally, the colonization of specific pathogen-free chickens by enteric microorganisms under field conditions revealed the presence of several RNA viral families, including Picornaviridae, Picobirnaviridae, Reoviridae, and Astroviridae[2]. The current study expands on these findings by focusing specifically on the RNA virome and utilizing viral metagenomics to provide a more detailed characterization. This approach allows for the detection of a broader range of RNA viruses, including those that may not have been previously identified or well-characterized. The use of metagenomics also enables the researchers to study the entire viral community within the host, offering a more holistic view of the virome. One of the key findings of the study is the identification of various RNA viral families in chickens, including some that were previously detected in both healthy and diseased commercial poultry flocks[3]. For example, the study found that the most abundant RNA viral family detected at different ages was Astroviridae, which decreased in abundance with age, while the abundance of Picornaviridae increased with age[3]. This dynamic shift in the viral community structure highlights the significant influence of bird age on the RNA virome composition. Moreover, the study provides insights into the factors that modulate the occurrence of certain viruses in birds. Previous research has shown that the breeder source influenced the RNA viral community at hatch, but the environment and bird age had a more significant effect on the community structure as the birds grew older[3]. This finding is crucial for developing strategies to manage viral infections in poultry, as it suggests that interventions targeting the environment and bird age could be more effective in controlling the virome composition. The current study also ties in with previous research on the gut microbiota of chickens, which has shown dynamic shifts during embryonic development and significant changes in microbial diversity[4]. For instance, the gut microbiota of chicken embryos exhibited changes in microbial genera between different developmental stages, with certain genera decreasing while others increased[4]. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the interplay between the gut microbiota and the virome in shaping the overall health and development of chickens. In conclusion, the study from the Durban University of Technology provides a comprehensive characterization of the RNA virome in chickens, offering valuable insights into the viral landscape and factors influencing virome composition. By leveraging advanced sequencing technologies, the researchers have expanded our understanding of the complex viral communities in poultry, paving the way for better management and control of viral infections in domesticated birds.

GeneticsBiochemAnimal Science

References

Main Study

1) A metagenomic investigation of the faecal RNA virome structure of asymptomatic chickens obtained from a commercial farm in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa

Published 24th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-024-10517-6

Related Studies

2) Comparative analysis of the intestinal bacterial and RNA viral communities from sentinel birds placed on selected broiler chicken farms.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0117210

3) Development of the Intestinal RNA Virus Community of Healthy Broiler Chickens.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0150094

4) Dynamic distribution of gut microbiota during embryonic development in chicken.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.06.016


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