Effect of avian reoviruses on lymphoid organ weights and antibody response in chickens

Several avian reoviruses were screened to determine their effects on the immune system by inoculating them subcutaneously (SQ) into day-old chicks. For comparison, infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) was similarly evaluated. The response of the immune system was measured functionally by the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) response to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and structurally by changes in the organ-to-body-weight ratios of the bursa of Fabricius, thymus, and spleen. When inoculated SQ, most of the reoviruses caused transient alterations in lymphoid organ weights, decreasing the bursa weight and increasing the spleen weight. Of those reoviruses tested, only one--a commercial vaccine based on the isolate S-1133--demonstrated the ability to interfere significantly with NDV-HI responses, although several had numerically lower titers. Two of the isolates were also evaluated by oral inoculation. Giving the viruses orally did not cause any alterations in organ weights; however, both isolates depressed the HI response of chicks to NDV. Compared with reoviruses, IBDV significantly depressed NDV-HI titers. The structural responses to IBDV differed, however: IBDV significantly depressed bursa weights for all 3 weeks of the test period without affecting spleen weights. Some of the reovirus isolates inoculated SQ were lethal for day-old chicks. This, and their ability to alter the lymphoid-to-body-weight ratios of the spleen and bursa, could be considered valid criteria by which to study the pathogenesis of these agents.