Viruses and virus-like particles detected in samples from diseased game birds in Great Britain during 1988.
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.
Gough
R E
RE
Poultry Department, Central Veterinary Laboratory New Haw, Weybridge, Surrey, England.
Collins
M S
MS
Alexander
D J
DJ
Cox
W J
WJ