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Sites of Avian Leukosis Virus Multiplication in Congenitally Infected Chickens¹

Departments of Microbiology and Anatomy, State University of New York, Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, New York

The distribution of virus in organs of chickens and chick embryos congenitally infected with avian leukosis virus (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 multiplication in specific cells 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 type of tissue examined except nervous tissue.

Cells which supported ALV multiplication included all 3 types of muscle, chondroblasts, fibroblasts, epidermal cells, lining epithelial cells of digestive organs, glandular epithelium of digestive 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.

¹ This work was supported by research grant No. GB 2129 from the National Science Foundation and E328A from the American Cancer Society. Some of the equipment was purchased with funds from NIH Grant 5TI GM 326.

Received 7/18/66. Accepted 9/12/66.