Comparative study of reo-virus induced arthritis-tenosinovitis syndrome in vaccinated and non vaccinated commercial broilers and its effect on growth performance

Reovirus infection is ubiquitous in broiler flocks causing manifestation from subclinical to severe tenosinovitis, mostly in 3 to 7 weeks old broilers. It is responsible for severe economic losses due lameness, suboptimum performance, poor feed conversion, lowered body weight, higher mortality and increased condemnation. Vaccination of birds with inactivated reovirus vaccine is one of the strategies to protect economic losses. In the present investigation effect of inactivated reovirus vaccine was studied after challenging with tenosinovitis strain of reovirus in broilers. Growth performance was not differing significantly between vaccinated and un-vaccinated group of birds, however in un-vaccinated birds growth was not uniform. Some birds developed clinical disease with swollen hock joints and lameness. As well histologically it revealed typical arthritis in company with degeneration of vital organs. Vaccinated group of birds did not develop clinical disease as well as there was active antibody response against viral agent, this proved the vaccination of broiler birds can prevent economic losses due to tenosinovitis arthritis strain of reovirus. Finally it can be concluded that the vaccination of broilers at the age of 2 to 3 week of age can prevent clinical manifestation of tenosinovitis syndrome caused by reovirus.