Turkey Arthritis Reovirus

Turkey reovirus is a progressive condition affecting mainly tom turkeys at 12th–16th weeks of age, causing enteritis, immunosuppression, arthritis/tenosynovitis, and myocarditis. The disease is characterized by lameness, stunted and uneven growth, poor feed conversion, and increased mortality. The primary postmortem lesions are unilateral or bilateral swelling of the hock joints and the presence of clear yellow to serosanguinous synovial fluid, which may even reach the sheaths of the gastrocnemius and digital flexor tendons. Rupture of gastrocnemius and/or digital flexor tendon may occur, resulting in hemorrhages followed by a fibrotic lump above the hock joint. Reoviruses can be isolated in embryonated chicken eggs via either a yolk sac or on chorioallantoic membrane routes. PCR, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry can be used for virus identification. ELISA and AGID can be used for serological diagnosis and/or monitoring of vaccinated flocks. Although live attenuated and inactivated vaccines against chicken reovirus are available; however, no commercial vaccine is available against turkey reovirus. In some countries, the autogenous inactivated turkey reovirus vaccine can be used.