Experimental infection of chickens with an Australian strain of reticuloendotheliosis virus 3. persistent infection and transmission by the adult hen

Abstract

Vertical transmission of reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) infection was demonstrated in embryonated eggs from an adult hen with persistent REV viraemia but no serum antibody. Pooling of infected embryos from this hen with those from antibody‐positive hens appeared to inhibit the infec‐tivity of congenitally‐transmitted REV. REV was detected in vaginal swabs from this hen on 11 occasions over a period of 26 weeks of adult life and infectious REV was shed from the eye, mouth and in the droppings. Direct contact between the hen and other adult hens and roosters resulted in the transmission of REV infection, with or without genital contact. These newly‐established REV infections were not persistent. Transmission did not occur between the infected hen and others separated by a wire mesh barrier.