Sarcoma growth in 15I5 x 7(2) chickens infected with avian sarcoma viruses of subgroup B or G

A comparative study was made of sarcoma growth in 15I5 x 7(2) chickens infected in the wing web at 4 weeks of age with strains of subgroup B or G avian sarcoma viruses. Infection with sarcoma viruses of either subgroup B or G resulted in the formation of progressive wing web sarcomas at the site of inoculation. The survival times of the subgroup G virus-infected chickens were generally at least twice as great as the survival times of the subgroup B virus-infected chickens, which averaged 6-9 weeks postinoculation. At 5 weeks postinfection, a significantly higher titer of virus neutralizing antibody was detected in the subgroup G virus-infected chickens. Necropsy indicated that a high percentage of subgroup B virus-infected chickens exhibited fibrosarcomas at sites distal to the primary wing web sarcomas, whereas only a small percentage of subgroup G virus-infected chickens exhibited distal sarcomas. The results further indicated that the viral env gene is a determinant of the pattern of distal sarcoma formation.