Effect of Lymphoid Leukosis and Marek's Disease on the Immunological Responsiveness of the Chicken2

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Abstract
The immunological response of chickens infected with two proliferative lymphoid diseases was studied with the use of two strains of lymphoid leukosis (LL) virus and one strain of acute Marek's disease (MD) agent. Cellular immunity was studied by the graft-versus-host reaction and skin graft rejection. Humoral antibody responses to bovine serum albumin were tested by passive hemagglutination and agar-gel precipitation. In susceptible chickens infected with LL viruses, the only consistent effect was a slight but statistically significant reduction in antibody response to bovine serum albumin. The results of graft-versus-host reaction and skin graft rejection times were equivocal. In susceptible chickens infected with MD, the graft-versus-host reaction was enhanced, whereas homograft rejection was delayed and the antibody response was decreased. No decrease in γ-globulin was observed on immunoelectrophoresis of sera from chickens infected with MD. The grafting of homologous skin induced antibody in the recipient chickens that agglutinated normal erythrocytes from the donor chickens. Production of this antibody also was reduced in MD-infected chickens.