IDENTIFICATION OF CHICKEN INFECTIOUS-ANEMIA, ISOLATION OF THE VIRUS AND REPRODUCTION OF THE DISEASE IN ARGENTINA

Three chicken infectious anaemia virus (CIAV) isolates were obtained f rom broiler flocks with anaemia and poor performance, and were designa ted AIP-1, 2 and 3. All isolates were resistant to treatment with chlo roform and were able to pass through 50-nm pore-size filters. The CIAV isolates induced signs and lesions of chicken infectious anaemia (CIA ): thymus atrophy, bone marrow aplasia, low haematocrit values, and bo dy weight reduction when inoculated into 1-day-old susceptible chicks. Microscopic lesions were a reflection of macroscopic observations. CI AV-specific antigens have been demonstrated in tissues of experimental ly-infected chicks using monoclonal antibodies specific for CIAV. The presence of antibodies against CIAV in breeders was determined by indi rect immunofluorescence tests. Although the chicks derived from breede r flocks that possessed antibodies against CIAV, they were not refract ory to infection. These findings, the characteristics of the virus and the virus-induced lesions, demonstrate that CIAV is present in Argent ina.