Serological definition of the lentivirus group of retroviruses

Abstract

The major polypeptides of visna viruses and other lentiviruses were isolated and closely related, if not identical, in radioimmunoassays. The lentiviruses form a distinct group of retroviruses unrelated to spumaviruses, mammalian and avian retroviruses that cause tumors and unclassified retroviruses of cattle and horses. Two sera obtained from goats immunized with Mason-Pfizer monkey virus or squirrel monkey virus reacted with visna p[protein]30. Additional data suggest that this reaction represents infection of goats with a lentivirus or a new retrovirus closely related to the lentiviruses.