Abstract
Abstract Previous reports indicate high seroprevalence of avian leukosis virus (ALV) p72 antigen in layer flocks suspected to have Marek’s disease (MD) in Kaduna and Plateau States. However, the specific subgroups responsible for ALV infection in layers in the States are still unknown, hence the need for this study. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the antibody profiles of ALV subgroups A/B and J in layer flocks suspected to have MD in Kaduna and Plateau States. Sera from 7 and 16 layer flocks suspected to have MD in Kaduna and Plateau States respectively, were screened for the presence of antibodies to ALV subgroups A/B and J using IDEXX enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Out of the seven layer flocks screened in Kaduna State, antibodies to ALV subgroup A/B was detected in six of the flocks (85.7%), while antibodies to ALV subgroup J was detected in only one flock (14.3%). Antibodies to both ALV subgroups A/B and J were detected in one flock (14.3%), which suggests co-infection of the two ALV subgroups. Out of the 16 flocks screened in Plateau State, antibodies to ALV subgroup A/B were detected in 15 flocks (93.8%), while antibodies to ALV subgroup J were detected in six flocks (37.5%). Antibodies to both ALV subgroups A/B and J were detected in five flocks (31.3%). The high detection of antibodies to ALV A/B suggests that ALV infection in layers is mostly due to ALV subgroup A or B in the study areas.
Highlights
Avian leukosis virus (ALV) is a retrovirus and belongs to the Genus Alpharetrovirus, of the Subfamily Orthoretrovirinae, of the Family Retroviridae, and Order Ortervirales [1,2]
Antibody profiles of avian leukosis virus subgroups A/B and J in layer flocks suspected to have Marek’s disease in Kaduna State Out of the seven layer flocks screened, antibodies to ALV subgroup A/B was detected in sera from six of the flocks (85.7%), while antibodies to ALV subgroup J was detected in sera from only one flock (14.3%) (Table 1)
Antibodies to ALV subgroups A/B and J were both detected in sera from one flock (14.3%), while antibodies to ALV subgroups A/B or J were not detected in sera from one of the flocks (14.3%)
Summary
Avian leukosis virus (ALV) is a retrovirus and belongs to the Genus Alpharetrovirus, of the Subfamily Orthoretrovirinae, of the Family Retroviridae, and Order Ortervirales [1,2]. Subgroups A, B, C, D, J and K are exogenous ALVs and cause neoplasms in poultry, while subgroup E is an endogenous ALV and non-oncogenic [5]. ELISA is a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tool widely used to screen flocks of poultry for antibodies [19,20,21] or antigen [2,22] to virus-induced avian neoplastic disease viruses, especially ALV. It became necessary to evaluate the involvement of specific subgroups of ALV in field cases of virus-induced avian neoplastic diseases in the study areas. Results from this study will add to the scarce literature on virus-induced avian neoplastic diseases, especially AL, in Kaduna and Plateau States, Nigeria
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