DIAGNOSIS OF AVIAN ADENOVIRUS INFECTIONS USING DNA IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION

Three DNA oligonucleotide probes designated FN-23, FN-48, and FN-96 we re evaluated for the diagnosis of aviadenovirus infections by DNA in s itu hybridization. Paraffin-embedded tissues were obtained from birds with confirmed adenovirus infection, birds with putative adenovirus in fections, and birds with intranuclear inclusions caused by herpesvirus and polyomavirus. In birds with confirmed adenovirus infection, probe s FN-23 and FN-96 identified 78% and 72% of diseased individuals, resp ectively. Only probe FN-48 detected chickens with group II adenovirus infection. In birds with putative adenovirus infection, the DNA probes confirmed aviadenovirus infections in 76% of the population. Probes F N-23, FN-96, and FN-48 detected 85%, 74%, and 18% of adenovirus-infect ed birds, respectively. None of the DNA probes cross-hybridized with t issues from polyomavirus-infected psittaciform birds or with tissues f rom a chicken with infectious laryngotracheitis. In contrast, probe FN -23 did cross-hybridize to herpesvirus-infected tissues from two of ei ght psittaciform birds with Pacheco's parrot disease. Probes FN-48 and FN-96 did not react with these tissues.