title: Multi-centric histiocytosis: Experimental induction in broiler and specific pathogen-free leghorn chickens.
abstract: Seventy-five 3-day-old broiler chicks and twenty specific pathogen-free leghorn chicks were injected with 0.5 ml of a homogenate, prepared from organs from broilers diagnosed with naturally-occurring multicentric histiocytosis (MH). Equal numbers of uninjected broiler and leghorn chicks (controls) were maintained in adjacent pens. Ten weeks later, nine broilers had well-developed gross and microscopic MH lesions. The distribution and histological appearance of lesions in these experimental chicks was similar to lesions described in naturally occurring field cases. Six leghorns had gross lesions similar to those found in their broiler counterparts; however, in the leghorns, the cellular masses contained more lymphocytes and, additionally, masses were found in the gizzard musculature. One gizzard contained a sarcoma. Broiler chickens with MH weighed less than their control counterparts and were more likely to be anaemic. Sequences specific for reticuloendotheliosis viruses (REV) were found in the MH homogenate, in organs from most affected experimental leghorns and broilers, and in organs from a control broiler. However, REV were not isolated from these tissues, nor were specific antibodies for REV or avian leukosis/sarcoma viruses (ALV) found in chick serum. Leukosis/sarcoma viruses were isolated from some MH-affected experimental leghorns and broilers. Sequences specific for Marek's disease herpesvirus were not identified by polymerase chain reaction. The aetiology of MH remains unknown.
authors.affiliation: a Georgia Poultry Laboratory , P.O. Box 20 , Oakwood , Georgia , 30566 , USA.|c Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine , University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia , 30602 , USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Goodwin
authors.affiliation: b US Department of Agriculture , Food Safety and Inspection Service, Eastern Laboratory, Russell Research Center , College Station Road, P.O. Box 6085 , Athens , Georgia , 30604 , USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hafner
authors.affiliation: c Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine , University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia , 30602 , USA.
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Bounous
authors.affiliation: d Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine , University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia , 30602 , USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: e US Department of Agriculture , Agriculture Research Service, Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory , 3606 East Mount Hope Road , East Lansing , Michigan , 48823 , USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: e US Department of Agriculture , Agriculture Research Service, Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory , 3606 East Mount Hope Road , East Lansing , Michigan , 48823 , USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fadly