engleski

Incidence of arthritis and reovirus infection in broiler breeders in Croatia

Incidence of arthritis and reovirus infection in broiler breeders in Croatia during the 1995-1999 period was investigated. Altogether 26464 carcasses were examinated by necropsy and arthritis was found in 0.83% of birds. In the same period 1763 blood sera of non-vaccinated broiler breeders were tested for the presence of reovirus antibodies using agar gel precipitation test (AGPT). Positive result was found in 30.18% of samples. Also, it was found that 20.73% of birds have antibodies for reovirus during the first 3 weeks of age. After the first 3 of age and up to 24 weeks 28.83% of birds were positive. Much more birds (48.14%) were positive during the laying period (birds older than 24 weeks). Results of AGPT in birds of the first 3 weeks of ageb indicate relatively small number of birds protected by maternally derived antibodies. Thus, the breeders became infected alredy during the rearing period either vertically or horizontally. The infection rate during laying period was even higher. This indicate that broiler breeders may spread infection vertically to broiler chickens. Although the rate of arthritis in broiler breeders was found to be low, the high incidence of infected breeders indicates a need for prophylaxis improvement and even introduction of vaccination against viral arthritis.

breeders; reovirus; arthritis; Croatia

nije evidentirano