Neoplastic Diseases

‹ Marek’s Disease
‹ Leukosis/Sarcoma Group
‹ Lymphoid Leukosis
Neoplastic Diseases ‹
‹
Myeloid Leukosis
Osteopetrosis
„ Reticuloendotheliosis (REV) (Retrovirus)
„ Lymphoproliferative Disease of Turkeys
Saad Gharaibeh
(Retrovirus)
‹ Ovarian Carcinoma
‹ Dermal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Retrovirus (ALV)
Lymphoid Leukosis (LL) LTR
RNA Genome
Env
‹ AKA: LL, big liver disease, visceral leukosis

env
‹ Cause: Retrovirus Receptor Binding SU
(gp85)
‹ Virus causing tumors IN
Transmembrane TM
‹ 5 groups: A, B, C, D, E, & J. (gp37)

pol
Protease PR
‹ Effects primarily chickens – greater than 24 woa (50-60
woa – breeders) -- because of long incubation time (4 Matrix MA (p19)
RT
mon). Exception is subgroup J (tumors as young as 3 woa)
‹ Usually individual bird problem – not a flock problem Capsid CA (p27)

gag
(exception is J).
Nucleoprotein NC
‹ Table egg layers & some broiler breeder strains have
genetic leukosis resistance. LTR
 Viral Carcinogenesis Viral Carcinogenesis

DNA viruses RNA viruses

‹ Original viral proteins cause activation of cells cycle or ‹ All belong to Retroviridae family
inactivation of the cellular regulatory mechanism ‹ Acutely transforming viruses: Rouse sarcoma virus
‹ HPV: E6 inactivates p53, E7 inactivates pRb
‹ EBV: LMP prevents apoptosis , EBNA activates src 5’ LTR gag pol v-onc 3’LTR
family ‹ Slow transforming viruses: FeLV, BLV, ALV, MuLV
‹ Hepatitis B, Marek’s DV, adenovirus, polyoma, poxvirus

5’ LTR gag pol env 3’LTR

Slow Transforming Retroviruses Lymphoid Leukosis

‹ Transmission:
‹ Vertical: hen to chick
‹ Horizontal: direct & indirect (contaminated
environment – not airborne)
‹ Was eliminated in breeder lines through
eradication – not vaccination.
‹ Mortality – low to moderate
 Stunting in broilers
LL Clinical Signs
‹ Outward signs are not specific:
‹ Sick bird syndrome
‹ Pale birds
‹ Loss of appetite
‹ Weakness
‹ Egg production drop
‹ Enlarged abdomen

LL Gross Lesions LL Microscopic Lesions

‹ Tumors:
‹ Liver Uniform population of
‹ Spleen lymphocytes
‹ **Bursa “sheets of immature
lymphocytes”
‹ Kidney
‹ Lung
‹ Heart
‹ Bone marrow …
‹ **rarely eyes
Tumors: kidney liver Liver
bursa
 ALV-J

Cranial Myelocytoma Cranial Myelocytoma

 Keel Myelocytoma

Hepatic Myelocytoma Hemangiosarcoma

 Nephroblastoma Undifferentiated Sarcoma

ALV Diagnostics
LL DfDx & Diagnosis
‹ DfDx: Marek’s, RE, other tumors Test Specificity Application

‹ Diagnosis: blood, tumors,

C/E isolation and
A, B, C, D, J meconium,
Ag-ELISA
albumen
‹Histology lesions – tumors -- including bursa
serum, albumen,
‹Necropsy lesions – tumors (liver, spleen, bursa) Ag-ELISA all subgroups
cultures, swabs
‹Serology – blood
Ab-ELISA A, B, J serum

PCR/RT-PCR all of the above all of the above

 LL Treatment, Control &
Osteopetrosis
Prevention
‹ No treatment ‹ Cause: Retrovirus
‹ Control: prevent stress ‹ Occurs world-wide, but less frequently than LL.
‹ Prevention: ‹ Sporadic in broilers.
‹ Effects all types of chickens, males more than
‹ Good biosecurity
females – rarely in turkeys.
‹ Genetic resistance, LL-free flocks
‹ Most commonly seen in birds 8-12 woa
‹ Identify & cull carrier birds – break vertical
transmission

Osteopetrosis Marek’s LL
Age Younger Older
‹ Thickening of long bones.
Lymphoma T-cell B-cell
‹ Frequently osteopetrosis &
Skin + -
LL occur together.
CNS + -
Peripheral N. + -
Eye + -
Bursa Interfollicular Intrafollicular
Lymphoma lymphoma
 Reticuloendotheliosis (RE) Reticuloendotheliosis (RE)
‹ Cause: Retrovirus ‹ Transmission:
‹ Effects turkeys, chickens, ducks, geese, pheasant, ‹ Horizontal
Japanese quail.
‹ Vertical
‹ Disease in chickens also from RE contaminated
vaccines. ‹ Contaminated vaccines (Marek’s, Pox)

‹ Economic importance of RE in turkeys &

chickens is minor.
‹ Disease is sporadic & self-limiting

RE Signs & Lesions RE DfDx & Diagnosis

‹ Signs: vague ‹ DfDx: Marek’s, LL, other neoplasia
‹ Stunted, pale birds
‹ Weight loss
‹ Diagnosis:
‹ Tumors: ‹ Serology – blood
‹ Liver ‹ Histology – tumors
‹ Spleen ‹ Virus isolation – blood, albumen (egg)
‹ Pancreas
‹ Heart
‹ kidney

Tumors in spleen, heart

 RE Tx, Control, Prevention Ovarian Adenocarcinoma
‹ No treatment ‹ Neoplasia starts in ovary or oviduct and then
‹ Control: cull affected breeders spreads to abdominal organs.
‹ Prevention: ‹ Not uncommon to find in older, backyard hens
‹ Individual bird problem
‹ No commercial vaccine (not needed)
‹ Blood test primary breeders ‹ DfDx: tuberculosis (TB), coligranuloma (E.
coli)
‹ Diagnosis: histology -- tumors

Ovarian Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma Fibrosarcoma

Oviduct

Spread to intestines

Ovary
 Dermal Squamous Cell Dermal Squamous Cell
Carcinoma Carcinoma
‹ “Tumor of broilers”
‹ But not a true squamous cell carcinoma – actually a
keratoacanthoma (a papular lesion filled with a
keratin plug).
‹ Crater-like ulcers in broiler skin that appear
around margin of feather follicles.
‹ Seen periodically at processing, unknown cause.
‹ DfDx: ulcerative dermatitis due to bacteria.
‹ Diagnosis: histology -- skin
Crater-like ulcers in skin