Demonstration of cells with Marek's disease tumor-associated surface antigen in chicks infected with herpesvirus of turkey, O1 strain.

The presence of Marek's disease tumor-associated surface antigen (MATSA) was demonstrated by the direct and indirect membrane immunofluorescent tests, in chicks inoculated 7-10 days earlier with herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT), O1 strain. In in vitro cultures of spleen lymphocytes and ovaries obtained from these chicks, MATSA-positive cells were also detected after 1-7 days cultivation. A possible mechanism of protection by HVT vaccine against Marek's disease is proposed.