ARS | Publication request: DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS AND CONTROL OF MAREK'S DISEASE: A REVIEW

Submitted to: Spanish Branch of World Poultry Science Association
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: September 28, 1994
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Marek's disease (MD), the most common lymphoproliferative disease of chickens is caused by a herpesvirus (MDV). MD exists in poultry producing countries throughout the world. Although in most cases MD vaccines are effective, losses still occur. The fact that in some cases lymphomas caused by MDV can not be differentiated from lymphomas caused by avian leukosis virus (ALV) or reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) is well recognized. Improvement of methods currently used to diagnose avian oncogenic viruses and the tumors they induce is an important component of any successful program to control the disease. This presentation will focus on the use of current information on the molecular and antigenic structures of avian tumor viruses to effectively develop highly specific reagents for differentiating between MD and other virus-induced neoplastic diseases in chickens. Current efforts to improve existing vaccines and to develop new vaccines for better control of MD will also be discussed.