Serological Survey of the Reticuloendotheliosis Virus Infection in China Native Chicken Flocks.

To investigate the reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) infection status in China, 2531 sera samples from 26 farms of native chickens were collected and tested for antibodies against reticuloendotheliosis virus. Serum samples analysis revealed 32.16% samples positive for REV-antibody. All 26 kinds of China native chicken strains have REV infection. REV-antibody positive rates of different flocks ranged from 1.01 to 67.68%. This study suggests that REV infection is very common in China native chickens flocks and more emphasis be given on its prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]