[Experimental induction of the cutaneous form of Marek's disease in broilers].

Straight-run chickens of the Ross broiler hybrid were experimentally infected with the skin homogenates of sound broilers, broilers conditionally edible, and broilers confiscated for alternations in skin. The chickens infected with the homogenates of healthy skin were negative in the Marek's disease test. In 17% of the chickens infected with the skin from the conditionally edible broilers, macroscopically observable cutaneous lesions were induced and 60% of the infected chickens had microscopic changes in the skin; visceral organs were always affected by the infection. In the chickens infected with the skin of a confiscated bird, the long storage exerted its unfavourable effect and the infected birds were negative in the Marek's disease test. Our results indicate that the active form of Marek's disease was induced.