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Title: INDEPENDENT ISOLATES OF THE EMERGING ALV-J DERIVE FROM A COMMON ANCESTOR

Author
item BENSON, SCOTT - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item RUIS, BRIAN - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item GARBERS, AMY - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item Fadly, Aly
item CONKLIN, KATHLEEN - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Submitted to: Journal of Virology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) is a newly emerging economically important virus infection that can cause cancer-like disease and other production problems in meat-type chickens. The disease was first reported in England in 1991 and later in the United States in 1993. Information regarding the origin and transmission of the causative virus is essential in order to develop effective programs to control the disease. Molecular studies comparing the sequence of DNA units (genetic code) of the envelope gene from the British and the U.S. strains of ALV-J revealed that both strains were derived from a common ancestor. This new information regarding the origin of ALV-J should be important to scientists studying the evolution and origin of ALV-J and the reasons for its world-wide distribution.

Technical Abstract: A new subgroup of avian leukosis virus (ALV) that includes a unique end gene, designated J, was identified recently in England. Sequence analysis of prototype English isolate HERS-103 revealed several other unique genetic characteristics of this strain and provided information that it arose by recombination between exogenous and endogenous virus sequences. In the past several years, ALV J type viruses (ALV-J) have been isolated from broiler breeder flocks in the United States. We were interested in determining the relationship between the U.S. and English isolates of ALV-J. Based on sequence data from two independently derived U.S. isolates, we conclude that the U.S. and English isolates of ALV-J derive from a common ancestor and are not the result of independent recombination events.