ARS | Publication request: EPIDEMIOLOGY OF RETICULOENDOTHELIOSIS VIRUS

Submitted to: American Association of Avian Pathologists
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: June 1, 2006
Publication Date: June 1, 2006
Citation: Fadly, A.M. 2006. Epidemiology of reticuloendotheliosis virus. American Association of Avian Pathologists. In: A.A.A.P. Symposium Program, "Impact of Subclinical Immunosuppression on Poultry Production", July 2006, Honolulu, Hawaii. p. 67-69.

Technical Abstract: Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) is an avian retrovirus unrelated to the leukosis/sarcoma group of viruses. REV infects chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, pheasants, quail, and probably many other avian species . The most common clinical diseases induced by REV are chronic lymphomas and an immunosuppressive runting disease. Although REV is widespread, REV-induced clinical disease is infrequently diagnosed in commercial flocks. All isolates of REV have similar antigenic, structural and chemical characteristics . REVs are known to belong to a single serotype, however, three subtypes can be identified on the basis differential reactivity with monoclonal antibodies. Although losses in REV affected flocks can be significant due to tumor mortality and or immunosuppression, the principal economic concerns of REV infection are: a) as contaminants of live-virus vaccines of poultry, and b) as a barrier to export of breeding stock to certain countries. To date, no vaccines are available for control of REV infection and unlike the case with avian leukosis virus, no method has been routinely used by industry to control REV infection in commercial turkey and chicken flocks. This review is primarily aimed at addressing the epidemiology of REV.