Serological and molecular detection of chicken anaemia virus in Iranian poultry flocks

Despite chicken being the main natural host for chicken anaemia virus (CAV), other birds may be infected by this virus too. In this study we examined chickens, turkeys, and quails for serological and molecular detection of CAV in Iran. For this study, we used 375 sera and thymus samples from broiler chickens, 100 sera and blood samples from turkeys, and 250 thymus samples from quails. The sample were collected from all over Iran between 2009 and 2010. Serum samples were examined using ELISA. DNA was extracted from thymus and blood samples and was analysed for the presence of the VP2 gene of CAV by polymerase chain reaction. Results showed that 69.07% of chickens were positive for antibody to CAV. In chickens, 58.4% were positive for CAV VP2 gene. The prevalence of CAV infection in quails was 15%, based on CAV VP2 gene detection. In turkey flocks, all turkeys (100%) were negative with respect to detection of VP2 CAV gene and CAV antibodies. It was concluded that, for the span of the time considered in this study, CAV has circulated in broiler chickens and quails throughout Iran.