Replication of turkey herpesvirus and Marek's disease virus in chick embryo skin organ culture.

Turkey herpesvirus (HVT) and an attenuated Marek's disease virus (MDV) replicated in organ cultures of chick embryo skin as assessed by immunofluorescence and/or electron microscopy. HVT-specific immunofluorescent antigen was detected in the feather follicle epithelium (FFE) and in the surface layer of the skin epidermis. Electron microscopy of infected explants revealed herpes-type cytopathology. Immature particles of both viruses appeared first in the nucleus. Oval or horseshoe-shaped non-enveloped particles of HVT and enveloped virions of MDV were seen in the cytoplasm of some transitional cells. The difference in the ability of HVT and MDV to form an envelope was believed to account for the difference in their transmissibility in chickens. The results indicated that HVT replicated in the FFE and in the epidermis of the skin. However, attempts to localise the site(s) of MDV replication by electron microscopy were unsuccessful.     

Theileria mutans in Nigeria.

Two strains of bovine Theileria from northern Nigeria were shown to be identical to Theileria mutans in the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. One of the strains was transmitted by the tick Amblyomma variegatum; large macroschizonts, typical for T mutans, could be demonstrated in infected cattle. It is concluded from these experiments and from the literature that there is reliable evidence so far for the occurrence in Nigeria of only two bovine Tehileria species, T mutans and T velifera.