Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #124459

Title: LEUKOSIS/SARCOMA

Author
item Fadly, Aly
item PAYNE, L. - AHRI, UNITED KINGDOM

Submitted to: Diseases of Poultry
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/28/2002
Publication Date: 6/30/2003
Citation: FADLY, A., PAYNE, L. LEUKOSIS AND SARCOMA GROUP. SAIF, M., BARNES, J., FADLY, A., GLISSON, J., MCDOUGAL, L., SWAYNE, D., EDITORS. IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY PRESS, AMES, IA. DISEASES OF POULTRY. 2003. P. 465-516.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The leukosis/sarcoma (L/S) group of diseases designates a variety of transmissible benign and malignant neoplasms of chickens caused by members that belong to the family Retroviridae. Under natural conditions, lymphoid leukosis has been the most common form of L/S group of diseases seen in field flocks although recently myeloid leukosis has become prevalent. Members of this group of avian viruses are characterized, as are all members of the Retroviridae, by possession of an enzyme reverse transcriptase, which directs the synthesis of the proviral DNA form of the RNA virus that forms part of the retroviral life cycle, and from which the family name is derived. These avian retroviruses including avian leukosis virus (ALV)-related viruses, formerly placed in a subgenus termed avian type C oncornaviruses, have recently been termed alpharetroviruses. Members of this group of viruses have similar physical and molecular characteristics and share a common group-specific antigen. Because of the relationships between these viruses, they are discussed as a group in most parts of this chapter. Sections reflecting the host response (Pathology and Pathogenesis of the Infectious Process) are discussed under the pathologic entities without regard for properties of the inducing virus (s) other than their inclusion in the L/S group.