Inactivation of an astrovirus associated with poult enteritis mortality syndrome

Outbreaks of poult enteritis mortality syndrome (PEMS) continue to cause fi nancial losses to the turkey industry Clinically, PEMS is defined by mortal ity profiles, diarrhea, flock unevenness, and immunosuppression. PEMS is a very difficult disease to control and prevent. Depopulation of PEMS-affecte d flocks and thorough cleaning of the contaminated housing have failed to p revent infection (disease) in subsequent flock placements. The relationship of PEMS to other enteric disease complexes of young turkeys is unknown, pa rtly because the causative agent of PEMS remains unknown. Recently, we isol ated a unique astrovirus strain from the thymus and intestines of PEMS-infe cted poults. This strain is molecularly and serologically distinct from the astrovirus that circulated in turkeys in the 1980s. Mammalian astroviruses are very resistant to inactivation. In these studies, we examined the stab ility of partially purified PEMS-associated astrovirus to inactivation with heat, laboratory disinfectants, and commercial disinfectants used in comme rcial turkey houses in an embryonated egg model system. Similar co mammalia n ascroviruses, the PEMS-associated astrovirus is resistant to inactivation by heat, acidification, detergent treatment, and treatment with phenolic, quaternary ammonium, or benzalkonium chloride-based products. Only treatmen t with formaldehyde, beta -propriolactone, or the peroxymonosulfate-based p roduce Virkon S completely inactivated the astrovirus in the embryo model. These studies provide an alternate means to potentially control at least on e virus associated with PEMS through the use of specific disinfectants.