Abstract

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) is an exogenous avian leukosis virus that causes significant economic losses. In this study, a whole blood polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay without DNA extraction was developed, optimized, and was compared with conventional methods for the detection of ALV-J infection. The evaluation assay indicated that the whole blood PCR had similar sensitivity and specificity when compared with virus isolation and conventional PCR. Taken together, the whole blood PCR method was very specific, easy to perform, rapid and of low cost, which will be useful for routine diagnosis of ALV-J, especially for large scale sampling.

Key words: Av/ian leukosis virus subgroup J, polymerase chain reaction, whole blood.