Use of Feathers in a Gel Precipitation Test for Marek’s Disease

Abstract

THE skin was first described as being involved in Marek’s disease (MD) by Helmbolt et al. (1963). Since then, evidence has indicated this organ’s role in the transmission and pathogenesis of the disease. Beasley (1970) has transmitted MD with dander from MD infected chickens. Herpes type particles have been observed (Clanek, 1970; Nazerian and Witter, 1970) and infectious cell free extracts have been recovered (Calnek, 1970; Nazerian and Witter, 1970; Purchase, 1970) from the cutaneous follicular epithelium of MD infected chickens. Lapen et al. (1970), Calnek and Hitchner (1969) and Purchase (1970) have observed an immunofluorescent (IF) antigen associated with MD in the cutaneous follicular epithelium of MD infected fowl. Lapen et al. (1970) described Cowdry type A intranuclear inclusions in this epithelium and demonstrated they were part of the MD process. These observations suggested that the feather and associated follicular epithelium may contain sufficient MD associated antigen which could…