Persistence of parvovirus antibody in geese that have survived Derzsy's disease

Virus neutralisation (VN) and agar gel precipitin (AGP) tests were used to detect and measure parvovirus antibodies in geese that had survived Derzsy's disease and susceptible age-matched contacts kept under laboratory conditions. Serum samples were collected over a period of 80 months and tested for the presence of parvovirus antibodies. Between 68 and 72 months, eggs and progeny were tested for the presence of antibodies and resistance to challenge. High and persistent levels of antibody were detected in the sera from the Derzsy's disease survivors and their eggs. Their progeny were fully resistant to experimental challenge. The contact geese remained serologically negative and their progeny were susceptible to challenge. These laboratory findings suggest that geese that have survived Derzsy's disease as goslings do not shed the virus persistently as adults.