Abstract
Lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) is an oncogenic avian retrovirus that causes rare epizootics in commercial turkey flocks, and was recently discovered to be endemic in wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in the United States. To examine LPDV in New York, bone marrow from hunter-harvested turkeys (n=2536, 2012-2014) was tested using PCR. Blood was drawn from live birds in 2014 to evaluate whole blood as an antemortem diagnostic. Whole blood diagnosed LPDV with comparable sensitivity/specificity to bone marrow and buffy coat. Logistic regression showed age, sex, and harvest decline were significantly associated with LPDV infection, suggesting flock structure may impact transmission, and LPDV may be correlated with recently observed population declines. Prevalence was high (55%) and geographically variable, with several clusters of high and low activity. Phylogenetic analysis revealed most clades (80%) had common geographic origins, suggesting translocation may have facilitated the spread of LPDV in New York and throughout New England.