Avian Leukosis Virus (ALV)

Lymphoid leukosis, the most common manifestation of the avian leukosis/sarcoma group of viruses, produces a variety of neoplastic diseases, including erythroblastosis, myelocytomatosis, myeloblastosis and others. Not all infected birds will develop tumours. Infection can occur horizontally from bird to bird by direct or indirect contact, or vertically from an infected hen to her eggs as virus is shed into the albumin of the egg. In addition, vertical transmission may occur from virus incorporated in the DNA of a germ cell. Viremia in the hen is strongly associated with the transmission of virus congenitally. Enzyme immunoassays have proven efficacious in the detection of both leukosis antibody and antigen.
Avian Leukosis Virus

Testing Solutions†

IDEXX ALV Ab Test

Availability/Distribution: Worldwide

 

The IDEXX ALV Ab Test is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) designed to detect antibody to avian leukosis virus (ALV) subgroups A and B in chicken serum. Antibody to subgroups C–E and J are not detected.

 

IDEXX ALV Ab Test

Part Number: 99-09257
(5 plates/solid)

  • Serum samples
  • Indirect format
 

IDEXX ALV-J Ab Test

Availability/Distribution: Worldwide

 

ALV-J is an avian retrovirus first isolated in meat-type chickens in the late 1980s, and is designated as a unique subgroup partly based on the envelope glycoprotein (gp85). Clinically, ALV-J causes predominantly myeloid leukosis, with variable tumour frequency across chicken lines. As with other avian leukosis viruses, ALV-J is transmitted both vertically (congenital infection of the egg albumin and the chick embryo) and horizontally (through close contact with infected chicks). This test was designed as a screening tool using serum samples from flocks 10 weeks of age or older.

 

IDEXX ALV-J Ab Test

Part Number: 99-09268
(5 plates/solid)

  • Serum samples
  • Indirect format
 

IDEXX ALV Ag Test

Availability/Distribution: Worldwide

 

The IDEXX ALV Ag Test detects p27, an antigen common to all subgroups of ALV, including endogenous viruses. The recommended sample types are light albumin and cloacal swabs. While serum has been validated for use on the ALV antigen test, it is not a recommended sample for the detection of exogenous virus because of potential interference from endogenous sequences.

 

IDEXX ALV Ag Test

Part Number: 99-09254
(5 plates/solid)

  • Albumin, cloacal swab and serum samples
  • Antigen-capture format
 

† Not all products are available and/or registered in every country.

 
References:
1.
Payne LN, et al. A novel subgroup of exogenous avian leukosis virus in chickens. Journal of General Virolog. 1991;72:801–807.
2.
Payne LN, Fadly AM. Neoplastic diseases/Leukosis/Sarcoma group. In: Calnek BW, et al., eds. Diseases of Poultry. 10th ed. Ames, Ia: Iowa State University Press; 1997:414–466.
3.
Payne LN. HPRS-103: A retrovirus strikes back. The emergence of subgroup J avian leukosis virus. Avian Pathology. 1998;27:36–45.
4.
Payne LN, Gillespie AM, Howes K. Unsuitability of chicken sera for detection of exogenous ALV by the group-specific antigen ELISA. Veterinary Record. May 1993:555–557.