Bovine leucosis virus challenge infection of calves following application of BL-3 cells
Ristau, E.; Wittmann, W.; Starick, E.; Kluge, K.H.
Archiv für Experimentelle Veterinarmedizin 43(1): 155-158
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9055 PMID: 2549903 Document Number: 332777
Lymphoblastoid cells of line BL-3, obtained in the USA by G. H. Theilen (1982) from a leukotic cow, were inoculated into 8 calves aged 15-18 weeks on three occasions, 2 weeks apart. For the first two inoculations, the cells were added to aluminium hydroxide suspension. Immunity was tested by inoculating infective leukocytes 6 weeks after the final inoculation of cells. Cytotoxic antibodies against BL-3 cells appeared after vaccination, but there was no specific leukosis virus antibody. The latter appeared after challenge infection (and in 3 unvaccinated, challenged calves). The virus was present in lymphocyte cultures from all calves. It is concluded that BL-3 cells failed to protect calves.