ARS | Publication request: RECENT SUPRISES IN MAREK'S DISEASE: NEW PATHOTYPES, NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE AND VACCINES

Submitted to: International Conference and Exhibition on Veterinary Poultry
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: August 1, 1999
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: The incidence of Marek's disease (MD) remians low in the United States but there are sporadic reports of problems from other countries. Isolates of the virulent serotype 1 MD virus are classified into four types, each with increasing virulence and, overall, virulence seems to be increasing. The highly virulent isolates show unexpected biological characteristics, including the ability to induce an acute form of transient paralysis. Indeed, the brain appears to be a principal target organ for such strains. Vaccines remain the major control strategy, but it has been difficult to produce new products with better efficacy than existing vaccines. Several approaches toward improved control are discussed.