Experimental transmission of reticuloendotheliosis in turkeys with the cell-culture-propagated reticuloendotheliosis viruses of turkey origin
Paul, P.S.; Johnson, K.H.; Pomeroy, K.A.; Pomeroy, B.S.; Sarma, P.S.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute 58(6): 1819-1824
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-8874 PMID: 194046 Document Number: 122779
Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) strains MN67 and MN81, previously isolated from naturally occurring reticuloendotheliosis (RE) of turkeys, were propagated in turkey embryo fibroblast cultures. Cell-culture-propagated REV were inoculated in 1 day old turkey poults that were subsequently raised in isolation conditions for 18 wk. Turkey poults were also exposed by contact with RE-inoculated turkeys to study possible horizontal transmission. Both REV strains were pathogenic for turkey poults and were horizontally transmitted in turkeys. The incubation period of the disease was 8-11 wk. REV produced 10-33% mortality in turkeys, and macroscopic RE lesions were observed in the livers, spleens, intestines, pancreas and kidneys. Peripheral nerve enlargement was also seen occasionally. Microscopically, the lesions were composed of neoplastic lymphoreticular cells. Neoplastic lymphoreticular cell infiltrates were present in hearts, gonads, muscles and brains. REV was isolated from the tissues of turkeys experimentally inoculated with REV, and antibodies to REV were detected in these turkeys. Uninoculated controls showed no RE lesions or REV infection. Turkeys of all groups were free of Marek's disease virus infection.