• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.217-225
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• 1993

Commercial turkey poults not previously exposed to avian rotavirus were inoculated orally with the virus alone or in combination with E coki serotype 078 at 1, 7, 14 and 21 days of age. Turkey poults of 1, 7 and 14 days of age were susceptible to infection despite the presence of maternal antibodies against avian rotavirus in their serum. However, turkey poults at 21 days of age were less susceptible compared to those ages 1, 7 and 14 days. The clinical signs in poults of all ages were mild. Viral antigens were demonstrated in the mature villous epithelial cells of the duodenum, jejunum and ilem. Histopathological lesions were characterized by vacuolation of the epithelial cells and heterophil infiltration in infected turkey poults. A significant difference in D-xylose absorption was observed between control and rotavirus infected groups at 1 and 3 days post-infection in 14 days old turkey poults.