Avian orthoreovirus (ARV)

Avian orthoreovirus (ARV) is a non-enveloped, double-stranded RNA virus belonging to the genus Orthoreovirus in the family Reoviridae (PMC4014714, Wikipedia). It is a major pathogen in the poultry industry, primarily associated with viral arthritis and tenosynovitis, which cause significant lameness and economic losses in broiler chickens (PMC10674645, PMC10137454). Beyond joint disease, ARV is implicated in complex conditions such as malabsorption syndrome, runting-stunting syndrome, and various systemic infections affecting the heart, liver, and respiratory tract (PMC10674645, MDPI). The virus replicates in the cytoplasm and utilizes specific proteins, such as Sigma C for cell attachment and Sigma A for interferon antagonism, to facilitate infection and evade host immunity (Creative Diagnostics, PMC9781841). Control is primarily achieved through vaccination of breeder flocks to provide maternal immunity to chicks, although high genetic variability and the frequent emergence of variant strains pose significant challenges to vaccine efficacy (Drugs.com, PMC10458543). Additionally, ARV is being researched for its oncolytic properties, as certain viral proteins like p17 can induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in various human cancer cell lines (PMC11169944, PMC8838411).

Other names

Avian reovirusPoultry reovirusTenosynovitis virusFahey-Crawley virusAvian arthritis virus

Vaccines provide active immunity by inducing neutralizing antibodies against viral surface proteins (primarily Sigma C) to prevent infection and vertical transmission; Ribavirin acts as a broad-spectrum antiviral by inhibiting viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase; Interferons stimulate host antiviral pathways (e.g., PKR, OAS) to suppress viral replication and spread.