Presence of infectious novel goose parvovirus in the skin of duck carcass associated with residual feather burrs

Abstract

Since the emergence of short beak and dwarfism syndrome (SBDS) among Cherry Valley ducks in China, duck carcasses associated with residual feather burrs have been frequently noticed. Novel goose parvovirus (NGPV) DNAs have been detected in the skins of these carcasses, however, whether NGPV present in these carcass skins is still viable remains unclear. In this study, skin samples were collected from duck carcasses with feather burrs at a local slaughterhouse. These samples were homogenized, and the sterilized homogenates were used to inoculate 9-day-old embryonated Cherry Valley duck eggs for viral isolation. Two NGPV isolates, designated as TX2302 and TX2309, were obtained and passaged in embryonated duck eggs. Their genomes were amplified by PCR, and the complete genome sequences were determined. In the phylogenetic tree constructed based on the coding protein sequences, TX2302 and TX2309 showed a closer genetic relationship with the NGPV strains isolated between 2019 and 2023. Experimental infection of 8-day-old Cherry Valley ducks with TX2302 reproduced clinical feathering disorders. Moreover, NGPV was detected in skins of the infected ducks until they reached 29 days of age. Overall, these results confirm the presence of infectious NGPV in the skin of duck carcass with feather burrs. Moreover, they demonstrate that NGPV infection alone can cause feathering disorders, potentially contributing to the formation of feather burrs in duck carcass.