Virus-induced duodenal adenomas in guinea fowl.

Polypous growths of the duodenal mucosa were induced in guinea fowls after iv inoculation o virus strain Pts-56. The growths developed in about 60% of the experimental birds after a latent period of 4-6 months. The chronologic study of the alterations in the duodenal mucosa revealed consecutive occurrence of focal lymphoid cell infiltrations of the propria, restricted crypt hyperplasia, and enlargement of the villi followed by the formation of tubulovillous and tubulous adenomas. The virus-induced neoplasia of the guinea fowl duodenal mucosa morphologically closely resembled small intestinal adenomas in humans. Their formal genesis was similar to that of experimental intestinal tumors induced by chemical carcinogens.