Serological survey on the status of infection with reticuloendotheliosis virus in Northern Germany with regard to epidemiological aspects
Neumann, U.; Mikami, T.; Kaleta, E.F.; Busche, H.J.; Heffels, U.
Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 88(3): 104-107
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0341-6593 PMID: 6260453 Document Number: 176826
1511 serum samples from chicken, geese, ducks, turkeys, pigeons and various wild bird species collected in Northern Germany between January 1978 and February 1980 were tested in agar-gel-precipitation tests. 19 chicken serum samples of 14 different flocks and 1 pigeon sample reacted with reticuloendotheliosis virus antigen; these reactions were confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence. Even though these data obtained so far retrospectively do not allow conclusions on the significance of reticuloendotheliosis in poultry industry, henceforth the poultry veterinarian should be aware of this infection at least in Northern Germany. Problems concerning the use of serology as diagnostic tool for the detection of REV infection are discussed.