Molecular Detection of Reticuloendotheliosis Virus (REV) Integration in Avian Poxvirus in North Eastern India

Avipoxviruses are responsible for decreased egg production, reduced growth and increased mortality in poultry. The disease has re-emerged as a new threat to poultry farmers as a number of outbreaks have been reported worldwide. Several workers have characterized the field strains of fowlpox virus and found incorporation of reticuloendotheliosis (REV) provirus in their genome. Here, the authors present the cases of poxvirus infection in three avian species viz., poultry, turkey and pigeon in north eastern India and found REV genes within the genome of poxvirus isolated from poultry and turkey. The presence of REV in the flocks of the region need to be further investigated as it reflects the emerging threats to the poultry industry at large and poultry rearing in the region in particular.