A reverse transcriptase assay for the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disease (LPD) of turkeys

A reverse transcriptase assay was applied as a diagnostic test for lymphoproliferative disease (LPD) of turkeys. The assay differentiates LPD from reticuloendotheliosis (RE) on the basis of a different divalent cation-requirement of the exogenous-templated reverse transcriptase activity associated with the causative viruses. The test requires small volumes of blood, is rapid, sensitive and appropriate for the detection of LPD virus in the blood of field or experimentally infected turkeys.