Isolation and Characterization of Avian Reovirus (egypt/arv/giza 2011) Associated with Arthritis in Broiler Breeder Flocks

Samples of tibiotarsal tendons, tendon sheaths and fluids around ruptured tendons were collected from broiler breeder flock of 28 weeks old in Giza governorate, showed symptoms of arthritis, lameness and swelling in the hock joint. Trial for isolation of avian reovirus (ARV) was done by inoculation in embryonated chicken egg (ECE). After propagation and titration of the isolated virus, it had beed antigenically characterized by agar gel precipitation test (AGPT) and fluorescent antibody technique (FAT). Pock lesions on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) was negatively stained and examined by electron microscope, also histopathological examination was carried out. Molecular characterization was performed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT.PCR). The results confirm the isolation of avian reovirus from the suspected flocks