Affiliation:
1. Karaj Islamic Azad University
2. Faculty of Encyclopedia, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies
3. University of Tehran
Abstract
Abstract
Marek's disease virus (MDV) is a highly cell-associated oncogenic alphaherpesvirus that causes T cell lymphoma in chickens. MD is currently controlled by vaccination; however, MDV strains tend to develop increased virulence. Distinct diversity and point mutations are present in the Meq proteins, the major oncoproteins of MDV, suggesting that changes in protein function induced by amino acid substitutions might affect MDV virulence. In this study, 30 commercial broiler flocks from different Provinces (10 spleens from each flock) were sampled at slaughter. Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2 was identified in PCR (using gb primer) of spleen samples of 11 flocks (36.67%). The oncogene Meq of some positive samples was amplified by PCR and sequenced. MDV strains detected in this study could be put in three branches and molecular features consistent with virulent and very virulent previously identified MDV. Therefore, the relatively high rate of Meq in the unvaccinated broiler farms constitutes support for vaccination. These findings provide the basis for the molecular surveillance and further study of MDV mutants and strategies plan for control of MD in Iran.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC