Abstract
Avian pneumoviros(APV), also known as avian rhinotracheitis virus(ARTV), affects both turkeys and chickens and is known to be the primary causative agent of turkey rhinotracheitis (TRT). The aim of this study was to establish the presence or absence of antibodies to avian pneumovirus in the commercial poultry population of Korea. For this purpose, chicken serum samples were obtained and tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The tested serum was collected in laying hens with reduction of egg production or normal in Gyeongbuk province. A total of 184 sera representing 42 different poultry farms of the Gyeongbuk region of Korea were included in this study. Laying hens of 16 different farms with reduction of egg production and laying hens of 26 different farms with clinically healthy at the time of serum sampling were considered positive to antibody against APV. In the farms with reduction of egg production, positive farm to antibody against avian pneumovirus were 11 of 16 different farms(68.8%) and positive sera were 47(58.8%) of 80 different serum. In the farms with clinically healthy flock, positive farm to antibody against avian pneumovirus were 12(46.2%) of 26 different farms and positive serum sample were 39(37.5%) of 104 different sera. According to the results tested to 42 different farms in 14 city, 8 of 14 city have flocks with antibody positive laying hens against APV, 1 of 14 city have antibody suspicious and 5 of 14 city shown antibody negative, respectively.
