PREVALENCE OF AVIAN LEUKOSIS VIRUS ANTIGEN AMONG INDIGENOUS CHICKENS IN TWO SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Avian Leukosis virus (ALV) is known to cause oncogenic diseases in chickens world over. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of ALV among indigenous chickens in Karmo and Gwagwa, two suburban communities in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. A total of 180 indigenous chickens were tested for ALV p27 antigen using an Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technique (Ringbio, Beijing China). The overall prevalence of ALV was 47.2 %, ALV was found to be higher among chickens in Karmo than in Gwagwa 54.1% vs.45.15, but this was not statistically different (Chi: 0.3917, P=0.531). This study envisages the establishment of an effective control strategy in our study area, because of known deleterious economic impact of ALV on chickens.