Investigations of Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup J and Reticuloendotheliosis Virus Infections in Broiler Breeders in China

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) and reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) were detected in Arbor Acres (AA) parent broiler breeders between September 2008 and December 2009 in China. Samples from blood (n=1331) and sick chickens (n=152) were obtained from 19 flocks in China for serology, histopathology and PCR analysis. Serologic analysis revealed that the anti-ALV-J, -REV or -ALV-J and REV antibody responses were 10.2%, 42.6% and 6%, respectively. Fifty-seven chickens showed signs of neoplasia based on gross and microscopic examination. The type of tumors included myelocytomas, hemangiomas, lymphosarcomas and fibrosarcoma. Seropositivity of tumor bearing chickens for ALV-J, REV or ALV-J and REV was 19.3%, 42.1% and 3.5%, respectively. PCR results showed that the positive rate was 43.9%, 14% and 5.3% for ALV-J, REV or ALV-J and REV respectively, in 57 tumor bearing chickens. The data presented in this report demonstrate that ALV-J or REV infections (or co-infections) rates in AA flocks are relative high in China.

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