Response of turkeys to infection with virulent Marek's disease viruses of turkey and chicken origins
Witter, R.L.; Solomon, J.J.; Sharma, J.M.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 35(10): 1325-1332
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 4608806 Document Number: 81230
Lymphoproliferative lesions were induced in 29 (15.2%) of 192 turkeys by inoculation of strain TK809 (a virulent strain of Marek's disease (MD) virus) from a turkey and of 3 virulent MD viral strains from chickens. The lesions were principally in liver, spleen, gonad, and peripheral nerves. Some inflammatory lesions were also seen. Compared with MD viral strains of chicken origin, strain TK809 replicated better in turkey cells both in vitro and in vivo and induced a greater frequency of lesions. Although the mean infection frequency was low in surviving MD virus-inoculated turkeys as determined by serological tests (13.9%) and viral isolation (9.6%), infection was demonstrated in 5 of 6 lesion-bearing turkeys.