Anticorps MDV (14C8): sc-73373

Marek's disease (MD) is a highly contagious and often lethal viral neoplastic disease that is common among birds and is characterized by T cell lymphoma, nerve enlargement and the presence of malignant nodules on internal organs. MD is caused by Marek's Disease Virus (MDV, also known as gallid herpesvirus 2) which belongs to the avian herpesvirus family. Initial infection by MDV occurs in the respiratory tract and causes early cytolytic infection in B cells and latent infection in CD4+ T-cells, which ultimately leads to the formation of lymphomas in tissues throughout the body. Although MD is extremely contagious, it is not transmitted vertically (to the embryo) and young birds usually develop an immunity by the time they are 5 months old. Vaccination can prevent the formation of tumors in chickens that are infected with MDV, but vaccines do not prevent transmission of the virus.