THE RELATION OF LEUKOSIS TO SARCOMA OF CHICKENS : I. SARCOMA AND ERYTHROLEUKOSIS (STRAIN 13)

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Virology
• Pathology

Background:

• A transmissible sarcoma, Strain 13, emerged from a chicken inoculated with leukosis Strain 1.
• This strain induces sarcoma at the injection site and systemic sarcomatosis upon intravenous inoculation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the novel transmissible sarcoma Strain 13.
• To investigate the etiological agent and transmission dynamics of Strain 13.

Main Methods:

• Induction of sarcoma via inoculation in chickens.
• Intravenous inoculation to assess systemic spread.
• Transmission studies using cell-free material and dried samples.
• Evaluation of transmission via minimal blood volumes.
• Implantation studies in resistant chickens.

Main Results:

• Strain 13 virus causes localized breast muscle sarcoma and diffuse sarcomatosis in spleen, bone marrow, and other organs.
• Evidence suggests a single virus is responsible, inducing endothelial growth, hematomata, and erythroblastic proliferation.
• The strain is efficiently transmitted by cell-free, dried material and minimal blood volumes (0.00001 cc).
• Strain 13 sarcoma can be transferred by implantation to chickens resistant to leukotic viruses.

Conclusions:

• Strain 13 represents a distinct transmissible sarcoma with unique pathological characteristics.
• The virus demonstrates significant oncogenic potential and efficient transmission routes.
• Strain 13 offers a model for studying sarcoma development and viral oncogenesis.