Transport Vehicles as a Vector of Goose Parvovirus Infections (GPV)

Abstract

One of the greatest epizootic threats to waterfowl is infection with goose parvovirus (GPV), which is the etiological agent of Derzsy’s disease (DD). Despite the use of prophylactic vaccinations, the disease still occurs in waterfowl. The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary assessment of the presence of GPV genetic material in transport vehicles based on the results of molecular testing of samples collected from the vehicles between 2017 and 2020. In selected disinfected transport vehicles transporting geese from hatcheries to farms and from farms to slaughterhouses, swabs were collected from transport cages and transport kennel equipment. Samples were collected between 2017 and 2020. Total DNA was then isolated, and PCR amplification was performed to detect the presence of GPV genetic material. The resulting PCR products were sequenced. Based on PCR results, the presence of genetic material from GPV strains originating from disinfected waterfowl transport vehicles was confirmed. From the collected materials, 13 strain sequences were obtained from 2017 to 2020. Based on molecular studies conducted between 2017 and 2020, it should be concluded that despite preventive vaccinations and disinfection of transport vehicles, GPV infection remains a serious epizootic problem in waterfowl flocks in Poland.