What family of viruses is second to rotaviruses in causing diarrhea?
Astroviridae
In what animals do viruses from the family astroviridae cause fatal disease?
birds
What are the two genera of astroviridae and who are the hosts?
Avastrovirus: birds (chicken, duck, turkey)
Mamastroviruses: mammals
What shape are viruses in the astroviridae family and are they enveloped?
Star-like appearance
Icosahedral symmetry
Non-enveloped
Astroviridae viruses have ______ sense, linear, _______ stranded RNA
Positive sense
single stranded
T/F: Astroviridae viruses are resistant to low pH and lipid solvents
TRUE
Where do astroviridae viruses replicate in the cell?
Cytoplasm
*direct translation of proteins
Who does Turkey astrovirus target?
Young turkeys 1-3weeks old
What clinical signs will you see in a turkey with astrovirus?
Mild dz: low mortality but persistent infections = poor growing
Diarrhea, listlessness, nervousness, stunted growth
What pathology occurs in turkey astrovirus infections?
Intestines and ceca are dilated and filled with fluid***
Hyperplasia of the crypt enterocytes
*virus replication in enterocytes lining the vili
*maldigestion –> DHR
