Türkiye’nin Batı İllerindeki Tavukçuluk İşletmelerinde Avian Reovirus Enfeksiyonunun Seroprevalansı

In this study, seroprevalence of avian reovirus (ARV) infections in broiler and broiler breeder chicken farms in Aydin, İzmir and Manisa provinces were investigated. Serum samples (n = 631) collected from 8 broiler breeder and 18 broiler flocks were tested for ARV antibodies using a commercially available ARV Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit. The sampled flocks were not vaccinated against ARV. The blood samples were taken at the time of slaughtering. Antibodies were found in all flocks tested; 224 of the 295 samples (75.93%) collected from broiler and 322 of the 336 samples (95.83%) collected from the broiler breeder chickens were seropositive. In total, 546 of the 631 serum samples (86.53%) were seropositive. Lameness and respiratory system disorders were observed in all of the broiler flocks but none of the broiler breeder flocks. Seropositivity in Izmir province (91.48%) was higher than seropositivity in Manisa and Aydin provinces (74.59 and 70.58%, respectively). These results suggest that ARV infections which may cause lameness, serious respiratory system disorders, and decreased productivity in broilers are very common in chickens in the Aegian region of Turkey. The infection is often subclinical in broiler breeders. These results highlight the need for regular implementation of programs to combat the ARV infection in western Turkey.