Sites of avian leukosis virus multiplication in congenitally infected chickens.

Abstract

Summary The distribution of virus in organs of chickens and chick em bryos congenitally infected with avian leukosis viras (ALV) was established by virus assay. The sites of virus multiplication in cells of various tissues were determined by electron microscopy. Infectious virus was detected in all organs examined, and the highest titers were found in liver and kidney. The adult female reproductive system also contained large amounts of virus, while lesser amounts were found in spleen, intestine, muscle, brain, and blood. The presence of virus buds was used as evidence of virus multi plication in s]>ecificcells of various tissues and organs. Virus multiplication was found to take place in cells derived from all 3 embryonic germ layers, and virus buds were seen in cells of every tyi>eof tissue examined except nervous tissue. Cells which supixjrted ALV multiplication included all 3 tyj)es of muscle, chondroblasts, fibroblasts, epidermal cells, lining epithelial cells of digestive organs, glandular epithelium of diges tive organs and salivary glands, epithelial cells of kidney, cytoreticular epithelium of thymus and bursa of Fabricius, endothelium, mesothelium, and primitive reticular cells of the spleen.