Avian leukosis virus subgroup J infection alters viral composition in the chicken gut. Issue 10 (28th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Yuan; Li, Hong-Wei; Cong, Feng; Lian, Yue-Xiao
• Is Part Of: FEMS microbiology letters. Volume 368:Issue 10(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05-28
• Subjects: AVL-J -- chicken gut virome -- the relative abundance -- feces; Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579
• DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnab058
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-1097

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Chicken is one of the economically important poultry species. Avian leucosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) has emerged as a serious cause of mortality and suboptimal performance of domestic chickens. Changes in virome may contribute to pathogenesis. Thus, it is important to investigate the effects of ALV-J infection on the composition of the virome in chicken. In the study metagenomic sequencing was used to characterize the virome of feces collected from the AVL-J infected chickens and the controls. Our results indicated that the chicken gut virome contained a diverse range of viruses that can be found in mammal, reptile, fish, and frogs. Furthermore, at the order, family and genus levels, AVL-J infection significantly altered the chicken gut virome composition. The predominant order was Herpesvirales, accounting for more than 96% of the chicken gut virome. Furthermore, the relative abundance of Caudovirales in the controls was higher than that in the AVL-J-infected chickens. At the family level, the relative abundance of Herpesviridae, Myoviridae, Alloherpesviridae, and Genomoviridae was significantly altered in the AVL-J-infected chickens compared with that in the controls. Additionally, the relative abundance of 15 genera showed a significant difference between the AVL-J-infected chickens and controls. These results will increase our understanding of the viral diversity and changes in the virome of chicken gut, with implications in chicken health. Abstract : Changes to the chicken gut virome in response to avian leukosis virus subgroup J.