Leukosis and Marek's disease viruses of feral red jungle flow and domestic fowl in Malaya
Weiss, R.A.; Biggs, P.M.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute 49(6): 1713-1725
1972
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-8874 PMID: 4119166 Document Number: 50059
The frequency of Marek's disease virus (MDV) and avian RNA leucosis viruses (ALV) was studied in Red Jungle Fowl and domestic fowl in Malaya by assays of serum samples for specific antibodies and of embryonic tissues for congenital infections. Antibodies to MDV were found in all fowl populations (in 100% of domestic fowl but in less than 10% of Red Jungle Fowl). Antibodies to ALV of subgroups A dn B were widespread among both domestic and Red Jungle Fowl. Congenital infection with subgroup A ALV was found in a domestic fowl embryo. The type specificity of subgroup A and B viruses was shown to vary among regions. Red Jungle Fowl carried a genetically transmitted viral genome of subgroup E specificity which could be activated from embryonic cell cultures by infection with ALV or by treatment with 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide. The Red Jungle Fowl embryonic cells synthesized group-specific antigen and were able to complement defective Rous sarcoma virus. Red Jungle Fowl cells were susceptible to all ALV subgroups. The significance of these findings in the ecology and evolution of avian tumour viruses and their hosts is discussed.