Reticulo-endotheliosis in Poultry

Avian reticuloendotheliosis (RE) is a malignant disease of poultry most frequently affecting chickens and turkeys but also waterfowl such as ducks and geese as well as other bird species. Reticuloendotheliosis virus is antigenically, morphologically, and structurally distinct from the leukosis/sarcoma group of avian retroviruses. Natural infection and disease occur in chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and quail; probably many species of birds can be infected. REV can be transmitted horizontally and vertically. It can also be transmitted through contaminated vaccines. Horizontal transmission of reticuloendotheliosis virus is probably more important than vertical, although both have been documented in chickens and turkeys. This virus produces three distinct syndromes: nonneoplastic runting, acute neoplastic disease, and chronic neoplastic disease resulting in B and T lymphomas. Signs for runting syndrome include weight loss, paleness, occasional paralysis, and abnormal feathering. History and clinical signs, gross pathological changes, and histological examination, immunohistochemical testing, standard and quantitative PCR assay, virus isolation, serological testing. There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for reticuloendotheliosis except proper biosecurity measures.