Induction of angiosarcomas by ring-necked pheasant virus.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Oncology
• Virology

Background:

• Avian leukosis viruses (ALVs) are known oncogenic retroviruses affecting poultry.
• The specific oncogenic potential and mechanisms of ring-necked pheasant virus (RNPHV) were not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the oncogenic properties of ring-necked pheasant virus (RNPHV) in chickens.
• To characterize the types of tumors induced by RNPHV and their incidence.

Main Methods:

• Infection of 10-day-old chick embryos with RNPHV.
• Monitoring of tumor development, mortality, and clinical signs in chickens posthatch.
• Characterization of viral genome and replication competence.

Main Results:

• RNPHV rapidly induced angiosarcomas in chicken lungs, with 80% mortality by 10 weeks.
• Tumors appeared as early as 2 weeks posthatch, frequently filling lungs by 6 weeks.
• Survivors developed other tumors including fibrosarcomas and lymphoid leukosis; infected chickens showed cyanosis and respiratory distress.

Conclusions:

• RNPHV is a replication-competent avian retrovirus and an avian leukosis virus.
• It rapidly induces angiosarcomas at high incidence, suggesting a distinct oncogenic pathway.
• RNPHV serves as a valuable model for studying rapid tumor induction by avian retroviruses.