Detection of agglutinins in chickens infected with JM leukosis virus

Hemagglutinins for sheep red blood cells were detected in sera from JM virus-infected single-comb White Leghorn (susceptible S line) chickens. The agglutinins were not sedimented at 97,000 x g and were not affected by freezing and thawing, possibly indicating a soluble hemagglutinating factor. Agglutination titers were read in a relatively short period, after 4 hr of incubation at 4 C. The usefulness of this test for quick and low-cost screening of a large number of samples is indicated.