The Seroprevalence Study of Reticuloendotheliosis Virus Infection in Chicken in Bangladesh

WE SHOWED seroprevalence of Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) in poultry in selected areas of Bangladesh. Total 3,555 serum samples were collected between 2014 and 2016 from 10 districts, 6 types of chicken and 144 flocks, tested for the specific antibodies directed against REV by indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The overall seroprevalence of REV in the chickens tested were 21.13% (751/3,555) and 73.61% (106/144) flocks were seropositive. According to district, Gazipur had the highest (49.50%) and Khulna had the lowest (9.09%) seropositive rates. Additionally, the prevalence rates were highest 38.21% during onset of laying period, age between 19 and 24 weeks. The positivity rates were almost same round the year like 22.96% in summer, 20.70% in rainy and 20.43% in winter seasons. Furthermore, the seropositive rates in broiler flocks, broiler breeder flocks, commercial layer flocks, layer breeder flocks, sonali flocks, and domestic chicken flocks were 6.86%, 42.15%, 25.84%, 33.59%, 9.40%, and 6.49%, respectively. Conclusion: These results indicate that REV infections are widespread ubiquitous in all types of chickens and may appear as a potential threat for the rapidly growing poultry industry in Bangladesh. This is the first seroprevalence study on REV infections in chicken in Bangladesh. More prevalence study, molecular characterization and vaccine production from local isolates are emergency requirements to combat REV. The quality verification of imported vaccine must be strongly adopted.