Immunocompetence of sheep experimentally infected with bovine leukemia virus

摘要: Abstract The humoral and cellular immunological reactivity of sheep were studied throughout the first 32 weeks following experimental infection with bovine leukemia virus (BLV). Seroconversion BLV-inoculated occurred within 4 weeks, but was not transmitted to contact control sheep. Despite persistence viral infection, no differences demonstrated in leukograms, serum IgG concentrations, response immunization an irrelevant antigen (rabbit red blood cells), phytomitogen (Concanavalin A Pokeweed mitogen)-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis, or chemical (1-chloro, 2–4 dinitrobenzene) skin hypersensitivity, between BLV-infected uninfected These results demonstrate absence a nonspecific immunosuppressive effect BLV further negate influence generalized deficit on development clinical disease animals.