Rotavirus antibody in chickens as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent blocking assay.

The antibody titer of 202 chickens to SA-11 rotavirus was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent blocking assay. The chickens were from 15 separate flocks on six farms. The titer was detectable (1:18 or greater dilution) in 43% of the chickens. The wide variation in infection rate between flocks on individual farms (0% to 90%) indicated there is probably not significant transmission of the virus between flocks on the farm. Significant differences in numbers of serotest-positive birds were found between separate farms, possibly reflecting different management practices.