Abstract
Summary
Use of penicillin- and streptomycin-supplemented diets was associated with an enhanced clinical course of Marek's disease in chickens after exposure to Marek's disease virus in comparison to the course of the disease in chickens on diets supplemented with Kantrex, Garamycin, Achromycin or Totacillin or on an antibiotic-free diet. The enhancement was more pronounced in chickens fed penicillin than in chickens fed streptomycin. With the former antibiotic the effect was evident following Marek's disease virus infection induced either by injection or by contact; with the latter antibiotic the effect was observed following virus injection. The significance of the findings is discussed in relation to similar enhancing effects associated with antibiotic usage in chickens infected with Rous sarcoma virus and in mice and rats with implanted lymphosarcomas.
We are indebted to Mrs. Jacqueline Richards for valuable technical assistance and to Mr. Edward Fisher for excellent animal husbandry.
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