Susceptibility of domestic birds to lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) of turkeys

The susceptibility of domestic ducks, geese and chickens to infection with lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) of turkeys was tested. Infection with LPDV was assayed by measuring the particle-associated DNA polymerase in plasma. Ducks and geese were not susceptible to infection with this virus. Chickens were susceptible to the infection with LPDV and some of the birds developed a persistent viraemia. Six serial passages in chickens of viraemic. plasma were achieved. Lymphoproliferative gross and microscopic lesions caused by LPDV infection were less frequent and less severe in chickens than in turkeys. LPDV infection in chickens was proven by the reproduction of LPD in turkeys by inoculation of chicken viraemic plasma, and by molecular hybridisation between LPDV (³H)cDNA and RNA extracted from the plasma and organs of inoculated chickens.