Localization of avian reovirus (FDO isolant) in tissues of mature chickens

Mature hens were exposed to a reovirus (FDO isolant) serologically related to the viral arthritis agent. Examination of 23 tissues from the respiratory, alimentary, and reproductive tracts and tendons from the hock joint revealed widespread infection 4 days after inoculation via the respiratory and alimentary tracts. By 14-15 days, infection had largely subsided but was still detectable in the tendons, oviduct, and alimentary tract of some birds. No infection was found at 30 days. Virus isolation attempts in chick kidney cultures were more reliable than fluorescent-antibody tests for detecting infection. None of 156 chicks hatched from eggs laid between 12 and 33 days postinoculation were infected.