Avian adenoviruses--a review.

The literature on avian adenoviruses is reviewed with particular reference to the virion, number of serotypes, epidemiology, diagnosis and association with disease. Using the serum neutralisation test there are probably at least 12 serotypes which share a common avian group antigen distinct from the mammalian group antigen. The three disease complexes most often associated with avian adenovirus infections are respiratory disease, falls in egg production and hepatitis.