THE RELATION OF LEUKOSIS TO SARCOMA OF CHICKENS : III. SARCOMATA OF STRAINS 11 AND 15 AND THEIR RELATION TO LEUKOSIS

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Virology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Two distinct transmissible sarcomata, Strain 15 and Strain 11, were identified in chickens.
• Strain 15 arose following injection with neurolymphomatosis, while Strain 11 appeared spontaneously in a control bird.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the morphology and transmission of two novel chicken sarcoma strains.
• To investigate the stability and preservation methods for the associated viruses.
• To determine the viral identity retention when co-infected with other avian viruses.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and characterization of transmissible sarcomata from chickens.
• Transmission studies using cell-free material.
• Virus preservation techniques including drying in a frozen state.
• Co-infection experiments to assess viral identity.

Main Results:

• Strain 15 virus induces giant cell sarcomata, distinct from known types, and does not cause neurolymphomatosis or leukosis.
• Strain 11 virus produces spindle cell sarcoma, morphologically similar to Rous sarcoma, unassociated with leukosis.
• Both sarcoma viruses are transmissible via cell-free material and can be preserved by freeze-drying.
• Co-injection of leukosis (Strain 1) and sarcoma (Strain 11) viruses allows for their independent reisolation, indicating retained identity.

Conclusions:

• The study describes two unique chicken sarcoma viruses with distinct pathological and morphological characteristics.
• The viruses are stable, transmissible via cell-free filtrates, and can be preserved, facilitating further research.
• Viral identity is maintained even when multiple avian viruses are present in the same host.