Avian Leukosis Complex

Dr. Shahid-ur-Rehman
Assistant Professor
Institute of Animal and Dairy Sciences
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
 Introduction
• A condition of malignancy of haemopoietic cells
– Lymphoid Leukosis: malignancy of lymphoblasts.
– Erythroid Leukosis: malignancy of erythroblasts.
– Myeloid Leukosis: malignancy of myeloblasts.
– Myelocytomatosis: myelocytic tumors of skull, ribs and long
bones.
• Causative viruses belong to genus “Oncornavirus C”
RNA containing virus of family “Retroviridae”.
• 5 subgroups A to E.
• Virus survives at 37 °C from 3-15 hrs. at pH 5-9.
• Chicken, phesants, guinea fowl, ducks, pigeons, quails
and turkeys. But mostly seen in chicken.
 Transmission and Influencing Factors

• Vertical transmission.
• Horizontal transmission through close contact
between birds (virus quickly die outside host).
• Vaccines and virus free flocks
• Genetic constitution of chicken and strain of virus.
• Route of exposure determines the course of disease.
• Resistance increases with age
• Tumors are of 3 types.
• Nodulues (0.5-5cm), miliary (less than 2 mm) and
disffuesed (patches).
 Signs and Symptoms
Disease Clinical Signs
Lymphoid Leukosis Comb pale and shrunken.
Slight drop in egg production
Erythroild Leukosis Sudden death (acute)
Anemia, emaciation, diarrhea
Myeloid Leukosis Occurs sporadically in mature
birds
Myelocytomatosis Occurs sporadically in immature
birds
Postmortem lesions
Grayish white tumors and
enlargement in abdominal
organs especially liver,
spleen and kidneys
Diffuse charry red
discoloration and
enlargement of liver and
spleen
Liver with granular
appreance, discolored
gryish yellow liver, hyper
plastic and pale bone
marrow
Soft yellowish white
tumors or cranium, long
bones and pleural surces of
thoracic cage.