Avian pneumovirus infection: questions still unanswered
1996
Jones, R.C.
Turkey rhinotracheitis (TRT) was first seen in the late 1970s in South Africa (Buys & Du Preez, 1980) and was subsequently reported in Europe and in other parts of the world. It is caused by a pneumovirus, the first to be described in avian species. Its closest relative is respiratory syncytial virus of man and bovines. Avian pneumoviruses also cause respiratory infection in chickens (sometimes resulting in 'swollen head syndrome'), pheasants and guinea fowl. TRT has been present in the UK since 1985 (McDougall & Cook, 1986), and it is appropriate to appraise our experiences of more than 10 years of this comparatively new disease in the two most important domestic species of poultry and to consider the gaps in our knowledge. When the causal agent had been isolated and identified, and the disease--at least in the turkey--well characterized, prospects looked promising for swiftly bringing the disease under control by the use of simply prepared vaccines. However, the situation has proved to be less straightforward.
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