The <i>Meq</i> Genes of Nigerian Marek's Disease Virus (MDV) Field Isolates Contain Mutations Common to Both European and US High Virulence Strains.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Marek's disease (MD) is a pathology affecting chickens caused by Marek's disease virus (MDV), an acute transforming alphaherpesvirus of the genus Mardivirus. MD is characterized by paralysis, immune suppression, and the rapid formation of T-cell (primarily CD4+) lymphomas. Over the last 50 years, losses due to MDV infection have been controlled worldwide through vaccination; however, these live-attenuated vaccines are non-sterilizing and potentially contributed to the virulence evolution of MDV field strains. Mutations common to field strains that can overcome vaccine protection were identified in the C-terminal proline-rich repeats of the oncoprotein Meq (Marek's EcoRI-Q-encoded protein). These mutations in meq have been found to be distinct to thei

SUBMITTER: Patria JN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11769123 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature