EXPERIMENTAL-INFECTION OF YOUNG TURKEYS WITH EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS-VIRUS AND HIGHLANDS J-VIRUS

Depression, somnolence, and increased mortality were observed in 2-wee k-old turkeys inoculated intramuscularly with either eastern equine en cephalitis (EEE) virus or Highlands J (HJ) virus. Mortality rates in E EE virus- and HJ virus-inoculated turkeys were 7/30 (23%) and 9/30 (27 %), respectively; no sham-inoculated controls died. Both EEE virus- an d HJ virus-inoculated turkeys developed viremia that lasted 2 days; pe ak mean titers were 5.5 and 3.2 log10 plaque-forming units per ml of b lood, respectively. Pathologic changes in both EEE virus- and HJ virus -inoculated turkeys consisted primarily of multifocal necrosis in the heart, kidney, and pancreas, and lymphoid necrosis and depletion in th e thymus, spleen, and bursa of Fabricius. The findings indicate that E EE virus and HJ virus are pathogenic for young turkeys.