[Comparative antigenic characteristics of 2 Marek's disease virus variants and of herpesvirus of turkeys isolated in the USSR].

The antigens induced by pathogenic (55) and nonpathogenic (83) variants of Marek's disease virus, the Kekava strain (MDV-Kekava) and herpesvirus of turkeys, the M-24-72 strain (HVT-M24-72) were tested in the agar gel precipitation test. The antigens were prepared from feather follicles (FF) of the infected chickens, from the infected cultures of chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF) and from the culture fluid (CF) of these culttures. In the FF and CEF cultures infected with MDV-Kekava-83, the synthesis of the antigens was 6-10 times as low as in the FF and CEF cultures infected with MDV-Kekava-55. Both variants of MDV-Kekava retained their capacity for antigen synthesis in the CF up to 84 passages. Three antigens or three groups of antigens were found in the preparations examined: (1) strong common antigens in the CF and FF preparations; (2) weak common antigens in cell preparations and CF; (3) strong antigen(s) in cell preparations not identical to the CF and FF antigens. In CEF culture preparations infected with MDV-M-24-72, using sera from chickens with Marek's disease an antigen was detected partially identical to the weak antigen of cell preparations and cross-reacting with strong antigens of the FF, CF and cell antigens of MDV. No antigen was found in concentrates of CF from the CEF cultures infected with MDV-M-24-72 with the sera used. It is suggested that the CF and FF MDV antigens are virus antigens, while antigens of the cell preparations of this strain are autoantigens or embryonal antigens. Data are presented on relationship between the MDV-Kekava antigens with the MDV-HPRS-16 antigen.