Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #192355
Title: SKIN LEUKOSIS INDUCED BY MDV

Author
item Heidari, Mohammad
item FITZGERALD, SCOTT - MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
item Silva, Robert
item Zhang, Huanmin

Submitted to: American Veterinary Medical Association Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2006
Publication Date: 6/1/2006
Citation: Heidari, M., Fitzgerald, S.D., Silva, R.F., Zhang, H.M. 2006. Skin leukosis induced by MDV [abstract]. American Association of Avian Pathologists and American Veterinary Medical Association Scientific Program. p. 176.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate infection, pathology, and horizontal spread of Marek’s Disease Virus (MDV) in featherless (sc/sc) chickens. Layer type featherless chickens were infected with a highly oncogenic strain of MDV and housed with non-inoculated hatchmates. The birds were kept for 8 weeks post infection and were observed on a daily basis for clinical signs, skin lesions, and mortality. Periodically, various tissues were collected from selected birds for histology, immuno-histochemistry, and PCR analysis. Results indicate that featherless chickens are susceptible to Marek’s disease and capable of sporadic horizontal transmission of MDV to non-infected contact birds. MDV-induced skin leukosis and viral antigen can be detected three weeks post infection. Morphologic appearance and severity of skin lesions were similar to that seen in feathered birds, with the exception that few to no feather follicles were present in histologic sections. Featherless chickens are an ideal model for investigating the molecular mechanism of pathogenecity and oncogenecity of MDV.