Prevalence of lymphoproliferative disease virus in wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in North Carolina

Abstract

AbstractLymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) is a highly prevalent pathogen first described from wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in 2009, with uncertain implications for wild turkey populations. To establish a baseline of its prevalence and geographic distribution, we gathered LPDV samples across North Carolina, USA, from 2 age classes of wild turkeys in 2013 and 2015. We collected 829 tissue samples, primarily from hunter harvests, and tested for presence of LPDV via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The overall prevalence of LPDV was 46.1% (382 of 829 turkeys). Prevalence was significantly lower in juveniles than adults (29.7% and 48.4% respectively [χ2 = 13.52, df = 1, P < 0.001]). Prevalence of LPDV in adult turkeys was greater in the mountain region than in either the piedmont or coastal regions. Prevalence of LPDV did not vary between years (χ2 = 1.47, df = 1, P = 0.26) or sexes (χ2 = 0.06, df = 1, P = 0.81). Mean weights of LPDV‐positive adult male turkeys (8.9 kg) and LPDV‐negative adult male turkeys (8.9 kg) were not different. We observed no correlation between LPDV prevalence and reported turkey harvest, nor between LPDV prevalence and productivity estimates from our annual summer brood survey. Our work is consistent with previous reports that LPDV is a widespread virus in wild turkeys that differs in prevalence across ages and regions. Further investigation of LPDV's effect on turkey poults and transmission of the pathogen among juvenile and adult turkeys is needed.