title: Use of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for detection of vaccine contamination by avian leukosis virus.
abstract: A reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for avian leukosis virus (ALV) was developed for the detection of contamination of vaccines produced in embryonated eggs and cell cultures derived from chicken. ALV is highly pathogenic and induces a wide spectrum of disease in infected animals. ALV can be divided into five subgroups (A-E). The envelope glycoprotein (env gp85) is the main antigen determinant and responsible for subgroup classification. Viral RNA of all subgroups (A-E) was isolated and amplified using three sets of primers. Subsequently, restriction endonuclease analysis confirmed the product identity and discriminated between subgroups. In specific pathogen free (SPF) eggs experimentally inoculated with ALV, viral RNA was found in allantoic fluids, as well as in vaccines spiked with different subgroups of ALV. No adventitious virus was detected in commercially available preparations. This system provides a rapid and specific in vitro method for the detection of ALV RNA as an extraneous agent and may be applied for quality control of avian vaccines.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Virology and Immunoprophylaxis, Mittelhäusern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Häuptli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bruckner
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Ottiger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001354:Avian Leukosis Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D004279:DNA, Viral; D004340:Drug Contamination; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012692:Serial Passage; D014765:Viral Vaccines
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014765:Viral Vaccines; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes