title: Viruses and virus-like particles detected in samples from diseased game birds in Great Britain during 1988.
abstract: During 1988, 108 samples were received from game birds (78 from pheasants, 28 from partridges and two from quail) for virus isolation or detection; 89 being received during the June to August rearing period. The most common clinical signs resulting in the submissions were death, scour and stunting. Virus or virus-like particles were detected in 51 cases, 43 as a result of direct electron microscopy of gut contents, seven by agar gel precipitin test for the presence of Marble spleen disease antigen and one by isolation, of a rotavirus. Particles observed by electron microscopy were: rotavirus - 15, adenovirus - 1, reovirus - 1, enterovirus - 1, 'fimbriated' virus-like particles - 10, rod-shaped virus-like particles - 19, On three occasions more than one type of particle was seen in the same sample.
authors.affiliation: Poultry Department, Central Veterinary Laboratory New Haw, Weybridge, Surrey, England.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Gough
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Cox