ARS | Publication request: Biological and molecular characterization of a reticuloendotheliosis virus isolated from turkeys with lymphomas

Submitted to: Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: June 19, 2008
Publication Date: June 19, 2008
Citation: Fadly, A., Mays, J., Lee, L., Silva, R., Crespo, R., Woolcock, P. 2008. Biological and molecular characterization of a reticuloendotheliosis virus isolated from turkeys with lymphomas. German Branch of the World Veterinary Poultry Association/Veterinary Medical Society. 7th International Symposium on Turkey Diseases, June 19-21, 2008, Berlin, Germany. p. 231-235.

Technical Abstract: Two reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) isolates termed AF-140-11 and AF-140-12 were obtained from turkeys with increased mortality, disseminated lymphoblastoid neoplasia, and decreased egg production. The REV isolates were propagated and titrated in chicken-embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) obtained from a specific-pathogen-free (SPF) breeder flock. The subtype of the REV isolates was determined by an indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) using REV monoclonal antibodies, 11D182, 11C237 and 11B118. Proviral DNA obtained from CEFs inoculated with each of the two REV isolates was analyzed by PCR using primer sets that amplify the 291 base pairs product of REV long terminal repeat (LTR). Sequence analysis of proviral DNA was accomplished by using PCR primer sets designed to amplify a 2135 base pair fragment overlapping the REV envelope region and partial LTR region. Both isolates grew well on CEF and had titers of 104 infectious units per ml. Also, both isolates tested positive in a PCR using primer sets that amplify 291 base pairs of REV LTR. Results from IFA indicate the two REV isolates belong to subtype C, and therefore are antigenically related strain CSV of REV. DNA sequence analysis demonstrated greater than 99.0% homology at the nucleotide level between these two turkey isolates and strain CSV, the prototype of subtype C REV.