Avian Adenoviruses

Avian Adenoviruses
Class	DNA Viruses
Order	Caudovirales
Family	Adenoviridae
Genus	Aviadenovirus
Species	Avian adenoviridae

Introduction

Avian adenoviruses affect chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys and pheasants worldwide.

Avian adenoviruses are easy to identify microscopically by their icosahedral shape and triangular facets of capsomeres. Enlargement of the spleen is a feature of serogroup 2 viruses at post-mortem, with a mottled and friable appearance and congestion of the lungs and liver. The white pulp of the spleen is hyperplastic histologically and intranuclear inclusion bodies form islands within the tissue structure. The characteristic intranuclear inclusion bodies will be seen in the reproductive tract in infections caused by serogroup 3 viruses.

Treatment and Control

There is no specific treatment for most of the adenovirus infections but HE has been successfully treated using convalescent antiserum from healthy flocks at slaughter as a vaccine. An adjuvanted vaccine is also available for EDS virus. Birds should be vaccinated between 14 and 16 weeks of age before coming into lay.

Minimising stress and optimising immunocompetence may reduce efficiency of spread of the viruses. Care should be taken not to mix faeces between groups or flocks as they often contain viral particles.

Avian Adenoviruses Learning Resources
Flashcards Test your knowledge using flashcard type questions	Avian Adenoviruses Flashcards

References

Animal Health & Production Compendium, Avian adenoviruses datasheet, accessed 20/06/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/ Animal Health & Production Compendium, Avian adenovirus infections datasheet, accessed 20/06/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/