author(s)
M Saravanajayam, KM Palanivel, G Selvaraju, P Srinivasan and A Balasubramaniam

abstract
The prevalence of Marek’s disease virus-1 (MDV-1) was analysed from 60 flocks of commercial broiler chicken of Tamil Nadu, India which were not vaccinated against the MDV. The feather follicle epitheliums (FFE) were collected randomly from 1-15 days and 16-40 days age group and all the samples were subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) by amplifying the MDV-1 specific Meq gene. Among the overall prevalence of 20 per cent, none of the samples were showed amplification of MDV-1 Meq gene in 1-15 days age group, whereas 33.36 per cent of positivity was noticed in 16-40 days age group. At present, no MDV vaccination is practised in commercial broilers in India. Albeit, no gross lesions were reported within 40 days of its marketing age, but the confirmation of prevalence in FFE may be source of MDV to other susceptible chickens. Hence, vaccination to broilers can only reduce the spread of MDV-1.