Genomic characterization of a novel avian arthritis orthoreovirus variant by next-generation sequencing.

By using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, we have identified a divergent avian orthoreovirus (ARV) field variant (Reo/PA/Broiler/15511/13, or PA15511), isolated from broiler chickens with viral arthritis in Pennsylvania in 2013. The complete genome of the PA15511 field strain was 23,495 bp in length with 10 dsRNA segments encoding 12 viral proteins. The lengths of the genomic segments ranged from 1192 bp (S4) to 3958 bp (L1). Genomic analysis has revealed that this virus is distinct from reference ARV strains and meets criteria for a new or novel strain.