Electrophoretic variation of avian rotavirus RNA in polyacrylamide gels.

Five different sorts of RNA profiles (electropherogroups 1 to 5) were recognised when avian rotavirus RNAs were electrophoresed in polyacrylamide gels. These could be distinguished from the RNAs of mammalian group A, B and C rotaviruses. Viruses belonging to electropherogroups 1, 2/3 and 4 were detected in chickens and viruses belonging to electropherogroups 1, 2, 3 and 5 were detected in turkeys. A minimum of three electropherogroups was recognised in each of four longitudinal surveys of broiler chicken flocks. On examination of rotaviruses from different clinical outbreaks of diarrhoea and from different longitudinal surveys minor differences involving almost all the RNA segments were observed when rotaviruses from the same electropherogroup were compared. Detailed RNA analysis in two of the surveys detected up to three electropherotypes within each electropherogroup.