ARS | Publication request: METHODS TO DISTINGUISH SELECTED SEROTYPE 1 MDV IN DUALLY INFECTED CHICKENS

Submitted to: American Veterinary Medical Association Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 1, 2006
Publication Date: June 1, 2006
Citation: Dunn, J.R., Gross, S.B., Witter, R.L., Silva, R.F., Lee, L.F. 2006. Methods to distinguish selected serotype 1 MDV in dually infected chickens [abstract]. American Veterinary Medical Association and American Association of Avian Pathologists Scientific Program. p. 73.

Technical Abstract: Marek's disease virus (MDV) can spread between vaccinated birds within a flock, leading to potential superinfection by the same or multiple strains of MDV. This study was designed to test methods to distinguish two nearly identical recombinant strains of serotype 1 MDV (rMd5 and rMd5//38CVI) in the same tissue sample. Methods used to differentiate the viruses included immunohistochemistry (IHC) using monoclonal antibodies specific for each strain, as well as pyrosequencing. 112 chickens were infected with one or both viruses. IHC and pyrosequencing were specific, as predicted, for birds singly infected. Using IHC, both virus strains were able to be detected in birds dually infected, however, the relative intensity of staining for each virus was variable between birds. Pyrosequencing was also able to detect both viruses in dually infected birds and results correlated well with IHC. IHC and pyrosequencing were successful for detecting both viruses in dually infected birds and will be used in further studies to understand the effects of serotype 1 MDV superinfection.