Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #95977
Title: MAREK'S DISEASE VIRUS AS AN EVOVING PATHOGEN

Author
item Reddy, Sanjay
item Witter, Richard

Submitted to: Misset World Poultry
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/16/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Marek's disease is the most common cause of lymphoproliferative disease of chicken and is caused by a highly contagious herpesvirus. Vaccination has dramatically reduced the incidence of disease, but not of virus evolution. Marek's disease remains one of the most important diseases facing the poultry industry. Recent data suggested that more virulent strains of the virus are evolving. This paper summarizes reasons for virus evolution in the field under current management conditions.

Technical Abstract: Marek's disease ranks among the most important diseases of poultry industry. It is caused by an oncogenic herpesvirus. Marek's disease virus (MDV) seem to have continued its evolution towards greater virulence over the last four decades. The issues discussed in this report are 1) evolution of MDV towards greater virulence, 2) control of MDV by more efficacious vaccines and 3) effects of vaccination on virus evolution.