title: Role of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in chickens inoculated with avian leukosis/sarcoma virus.
abstract: Immunosuppression of chickens infected in ovo with avian leukosis virus (RAV-1) by the injection of antilymphocyte serum (ALS) did not significantly (P > 0.05) alter the incidence or distribution of lesions in chickens between 3 and 6 months of age as compared to control groups. Antilymphocyte serum treatment of Rous sarcoma virus [RSV (RAV-2)]-infected chickens significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited tumour regression and enhanced tumour metastasis. It was concluded that cell-mediated immunity was not a significant factor in effecting the survival of viraemic chickens Viraemic leukosis virus infected-chickens responded as well as normal chickens to sensitization to Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra. The results were based on in vivo wattle tests and in vitro cell-mediated cytotoxicity assays. It was concluded that subclinical avian leukosis virus infection had no effect on the thymus-dependent lymphocyte (T-cell) population associated with cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity and cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Frederick Cancer Research Center, Frederick, Maryland 21701, USA.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Vlaovic
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Jovanovic
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Buening
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Loan