Histopathological and Molecular Diagnosis of Avian Reticuloendotheliosis Virus in Commercial Layer Chicken

Seven dead commercial layer birds of 84 weeks age were examined to know the cause of death. The total flock size was 50,000 and birds were raised in cages from day one of age. The total mortality over a period of 10 weeks was 2.1 per cent. The birds appeared dull and depressed. At necropsy, ovary, pancreas revealed swollen and greyish nodular growth, firm in consistency and smooth when cut. Histopathology of ovary, liver, heart and brain corroborated with the gross lesions. Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) was confirmed by conducting polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (Mitra et al., 2013).