Genetics and biological characteristics of duck reoviruses isolated from ducks and geese in China

• DOI: 10.1186/s13567-025-01470-7
• Publication Date: 2025-02-06T17:37:53Z
• Authors: Xiaohong Sun; Jing Guo; Jinyan Shen; Mengdi Guan; Lili Liu; Yujiao Xie; Hongke Xu; Mengjing Wang; Anran Ren; Wenxi Li; Feng Cong; Xuyong Li
• Keywords: Reassortment; Bursa of Fabricius

Abstract The emergence and circulation of duck reovirus have caused severe threats to domestic waterfowl production because the lethal infections they cause in ducks geese. However, evolution circulating reoviruses their replication pathogenicity birds not been fully investigated. In this study, we identified isolated six from clinical samples sick or deceased farmed geese sequenced full genomes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed evolutionary landscape complex reassortment these viruses with avian orthoreovirus Muscovy reovirus. Animal infection studies differences study ducks, chickens. Lethal highly pathogenic causes focal necrosis hemorrhage liver, spleen, bursa Fabricius thymus, resulting high mortality inoculated birds. Importantly, chickens are susceptible reovirus, highlighting potential risk Our evolution, cross-species transmission reoviruses, further emphasizing importance continued systemic surveillance at interface