In vitro and in vivo Neutralization of the Virus of Visceral Lymphomatosis

Abstract

A group of 14 hens of an isolated population of inbred line 15, S. C. White Leghorns, which had been selected for susceptibility to lymphomatosis, was given a series of injections of the virus of visceral lymphomatosis. The progeny of the immunized hens were much more resistant to challenge inoculations than were the progeny of non-injected controls, or those obtained before the injections. The serum from one of the immunized hens was tested for antibodies by in vitro neutralization tests. In vivo neutralization experiments were conducted on serum pooled from 9 of the immunized hens. Results of both experiments showed that whereas serum collected just prior to the immunization period had no evidence of neutralizing antibodies; the serum collected after this period neutralized most of the virus. Results indicate that the repeated injection of the virus of visceral lymphomatosis into adult hens of a susceptible though comparatively disease-free stork, provoked the formation of neutralizing antibodies which presumably were transferred to the progeny via the egg, thus increasing the resistance of the progeny.