Neutralization and Precipitation of the Virus of Avian Erythromyeloblastosis with Serum of Hyperimmunized Chickens.

Abstract

Chickens were hyperimmunized with formolized concentrates of the virus of avian erythromyeloblastic leukosis together with the untreated plasma of diseased birds containing the agent in high concentration. The resulting immune serums strongly neutralized the infectious properties of the virus and precipitated the characteristic virus particles as observed macroscopically and corroborated by electron micrographs of the precipitates. Precipitation of the virus particles was associated with proportional precipitation of the enzyme activity of the virus to dephosphorylate adenosine triphosphate. The findings constitute the critical specific criterion needed to establish the particles as the virus and the enzyme as a component inseparable, by all methods yet tried, from these virus particles.