Marek's disease

Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2
Virus classification Edit this classification
(unranked): Virus
Realm: Duplodnaviria
Kingdom: Heunggongvirae
Phylum: Peploviricota
Class: Herviviricetes
Order: Herpesvirales
Family: Orthoherpesviridae
Genus: Mardivirus
Species:
Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2
Synonyms[1]
  • Gallid herpesvirus 2

Marek's disease is a highly contagious viral neoplastic disease in chickens. It is named after József Marek, a Hungarian veterinarian who described it in 1907. Marek's disease is caused by an alphaherpesvirus known as "Marek's disease virus" (MDV) or Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2 (GaHV-2).[2] The disease is characterized by the presence of T cell lymphoma as well as infiltration of nerves and organs by lymphocytes.[3] Viruses related to MDV appear to be benign and can be used as vaccine strains to prevent Marek's disease. For example, the related herpesvirus found in turkeys (HVT), causes no apparent disease in the birds, and continues to be used as a vaccine strain for prevention of Marek's disease.

Birds infected with GaHV-2 can be carriers and shedders of the virus for life. Newborn chicks are protected by maternal antibodies for a few weeks. After infection, microscopic lesions are present after one to two weeks, and gross lesions are present after three to four weeks. The virus is spread in dander from feather follicles and transmitted by inhalation.[4]

  1. ^ Davison, Andrew (27 January 2016). "Rename species in the family Herpesviridae to incorporate a subfamily designation" (PDF). International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). p. 2. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  2. ^ "ICTV Taxonomy history: Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2". Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  3. ^ Hirai K, ed. (2001). Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology: Marek's Disease (Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology). Springer: Berlin. ISBN 978-3-540-67798-7.
  4. ^ Fenner FJ, Gibbs EP, Murphy FA, Rott R, Studdert MJ, White DO (1993). Veterinary Virology (2nd ed.). Academic Press, Inc. ISBN 978-0-12-253056-2.