Experimental infection of chickens with an Australian strain of reticuloendotheliosis virus. 2. Serological responses and pathogenesis

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Abstract
Fifteen SPF chickens were inoculated with an Australian strain of reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) at 1 day of age and 5 uninoculated chickens were readily infected by horizontal spread from this group. Antibody detectable by the immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test developed 3-6 wk after infection, and usually persisted for 20-35 wks, with maximum titers (40-1280) at 8-13 wk. Agar gel precipitin (AGP) reactions developed more slowly and were variable in duration, the highest proportion of positive reactions being detectable 8-13 wks after infection and persisting for 8-30 wk. Infectious REV was readily detected in the plasma and serum of inoculated chickens 6 wk after infection and a non-infectious REV antigenemia usually persisted for at least a further 7 wk, in the presence or absence of antibody. Development of a detectable REV viremia was strongly associated with poor body development and premature mortality among the inoculated chickens. In 2 inoculated chickens which failed to develop detectable serological reactions, a REV viremia occurred which persisted throughout life. At autopsy, REV was reisolated from the kidneys of most of the inoculated chickens and from the reproductive and intestinal systems of 2 birds 22 and 56 wk after infection.