ARS | Publication request: SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUBGROUP J-LIKE AVIAN LEUKOSIS VIRUS ISOLATED FROM BROILER BREEDER CHICKENS IN THE UNITED STATES

Submitted to: World Veterinary Poultry Association
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 18, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Several avian leukosis viruses (ALV) were isolated from broiler breeder flocks experiencing a relatively high incidence of myeloid leukosis in the United States. Virological and serological assays suggest that the virus is not a subgroup A ALV, as antibodies to subgroups A, B, C, D, or E ALV failed to neutralize the virus. However, the newly isolated ALV was neutralized by homologous antibodies as well as by antibodies to strain HPRS-103, the prototype of subgroup J ALV (ALV-J). Nucleotide sequence comparisons between the prototype HPRS-103 strain and ALV isolated from broiler breeders in the USA revealed only two base substitutions in the E element. Furthermore, results from transmission experiments indicate that contact transmission of these isolates of ALV- J is highly efficient and can lead to tolerant infection in susceptible broiler breeder, but not in white leghorn chickens.