Isolation of a TRTV-like virus from chickens with swollen-head syndrome
Picault, J.P.; Giraud, P.; Drouin, P.; Guittet, M.; Bennejean, G.; Lamande, J.; Toquin, D.; Gueguen, C.
Veterinary Record 121(6): 135
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 3118557 Document Number: 292964
Following failure to reproduce the swollen-head syndrome (SHS) in SPF chickens by infection with turkey rhinotracheitis virus (TRTV) and in order to detect TRTV in the respiratory tract of chickens from SHS-affected flocks, a homogenized inoculum of the larynx, trachea and lungs from broilers of three SHS-affected flocks was given intranasally to 20 each of SPF chicken and turkey poults aged four weeks, reared together. The turkeys developed intense rhinotracheitis; the chickens had periocular swelling from four days, then ocular discharge after 7 to 21 days. At 7 days both species had typical TRT lesions in the nasal cavities, larynx and trachea. Acidophilic cytoplasmic inclusions were seen in ciliated cells. Most of the chickens and turkeys were positive to the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at four to 6 weeks; neutralizing antibodies were at a maximum at two weeks in turkeys and 5 to 6 weeks in chickens. TRTV-like agents were seen in turkey nasal exudates. After several blind passages in chick embryo tracheal organ cultures the virus was isolated from the inoculum and from the respiratory tract of birds from two of the three broiler flocks. A similar experiment with 12 guinea fowls, aged four weeks, produced coryza, sinus swelling, ocular discharge and identical microscopic lesions. There was a lower antibody titre against TRTV for a shorter time than with turkeys; there were TRTV-like particles in nasal exudates.