Submitted to: American Veterinary Medical Association Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 19, 1997
Publication Date: N/A
Technical Abstract: Lymphomas caused by avian retroviruses and herpesviruses are the most common viral neoplastic diseases of poultry. Retrovirus lymphomas are caused by avian leukosis virus (ALV) or by reticuloendotheliosis (RE) virus (REV), whereas Marek's disease (MD) lymphoma is caused by a herpesvirus (MDV). Differential diagnosis of viral lymphomas of poultry has been based don pathological criteria. Further, virologic and serologic criteria, such as assays for virus, antigens or antibodies are not particularly helpful in tumor diagnosis because ALV, REV and MDV are all widespread and infection in the absence of tumor formation is common. Current technology such as immunocytochemistry and molecular hybridization is being used to develop more sensitive and specific procedures for a more definitive diagnosis of avian viral lymphomas.