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30 November 2022 Molecular Surveillance for Lymphoproliferative Disease Virus and Reticuloendotheliosis Virus in Rio Grande Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) in Texas, USA
Faith Cox, Jason Hardin, Robert Dittmar, Dustin Edwards
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) and lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) are avian retroviruses that can cause neoplastic disease and present with similar pathologies. Lymphoproliferative disease virus has been reported in the Eastern US and states bordering Texas, USA, but has not been previously detected within the state. In a prior study, we detected REV in native Rio Grande Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) and an Eastern Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) originating from West Virginia. Given LPDV detection in states bordering Texas and our finding of an REV-positive Eastern Wild Turkey imported from a LPDV endemic region, we sought to determine LPDV prevalence in Texas and continue surveillance for REV. During 2018–20, dried blood spots from 373 individual Rio Grande Wild Turkeys from 20 different counties were tested for the presence of proviral REV or LPDV DNA. In affected counties, approximately 4% of individuals were infected with REV (7/197) or LPDV (10/273) and one bird was coinfected with both viruses. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a close relationship of the LPDV isolates to variants from other Southern and Central states. This study provides molecular evidence of LPDV in Texas, and continued surveillance is necessary to determine the potential effects of the virus on reproductive success, coinfections, and overall health of Wild Turkey populations.

© Wildlife Disease Association 2022
Faith Cox, Jason Hardin, Robert Dittmar, and Dustin Edwards "Molecular Surveillance for Lymphoproliferative Disease Virus and Reticuloendotheliosis Virus in Rio Grande Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) in Texas, USA," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 58(4), 909-913, (30 November 2022). https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-22-00023
Received: 1 March 2022; Accepted: 27 June 2022; Published: 30 November 2022
KEYWORDS
avian retrovirus
lymphoproliferative disease virus
Reticuloendotheliosis virus
wild turkeys
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