Abstract
In this report data presented show that the bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is infectious for cells of various species including humans. Bat monolayer cell cultures were the most permissive for replication of BLV and provided an abundant source of virus for characterization studies. A highly sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay was developed using the purified 125I-labeled major internal BLV antigen. Binding experiments and competition assays demonstrated that the BLV protein is immunologically unrelated to the antigens of known oncorna-viruses as well as to the antigens of the foamy-like bovine syncytial virus and maedi-like R-29 virus. The radioimmunoassay proved to be much more sensitive than the immunofluorescence and complement fixation tests for the detection of antibodies to the internal BLV antigen. A BLV antigen, with characteristics in common with the envelope antigens of known C-type viruses, was detected in immunodiffusion experiments. BLV, as well as BLV-infected cells, induce syncytia formation in monolayer cultures of various origins. The effect was used to develop a sensitive, specific, quantitative, simple, and rapid infectivity assay for BLV. The assay is readily applicable for the direct diagnosis of BLV-infection in cattle. The infectivity assay also provides a system to detect and titrate BLV neutralizing antibodies. The virus neutralization test was found to be much more sensitive than the immunodiffusion test for the detection of antibodies to BLV envelope antigens. Because of their specificities and sensitivities, the radioimmunoassay, the virus neutralization test and the direct infectivity assay provide important tools for studies on the distribution, transmission and pathogenesis of BLV, as well as for eradication programs of bovine leukosis.
Published Version
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