Avian Leukosis Virus Epidemiology and Pathogenesis

Avian leukosis viruses are a group of oncogenic retroviruses that infect domestic and wild birds worldwide, causing significant economic losses in the poultry industry and threatening global food security. These viruses are divided into subgroups (A–K) on the basis of envelope glycoprotein variation, host range and pathogenic potential. The predominant subgroup, ALV-J, is notable for its rapid evolution, potent tumour-inducing capacity and profound immunosuppressive effects. Transmission occurs horizontally through direct contact, faecal contamination and aerosols, and vertically from infected hens to offspring via eggs. At the molecular level, variation in the gp85 envelope protein—and specifically its receptor-binding domain—drives changes in host tropism, receptor affinity and viral fitness. Following host cell entry, integration of the viral genome can activate oncogenes or disrupt tumour-suppressor genes, leading to lymphoid and myeloid tumours, persistent viremia and immune dysfunction. Control strategies rely on stringent biosecurity, selective breeding for resistance, early diagnostics and farm hygiene, as no effective vaccine is currently available. Ongoing research seeks to unravel viral evolution, host-pathogen interactions and immune evasion mechanisms to inform future interventions.

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Avian Leukosis Virus Epidemiology and Pathogenesis publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in avian leukosis virus epidemiology and pathogenesis across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Retrovirus: A virus that integrates its RNA genome into host DNA via reverse transcription.

Gp85 protein: The surface glycoprotein subunit of avian leukosis virus responsible for receptor binding and host specificity.

Receptor-binding domain (RBD): The region of a viral glycoprotein that interacts directly with a cellular receptor.

Viremia: The presence of virus particles in the bloodstream, indicating systemic infection.

Recombinase-aided amplification (RAA): An isothermal nucleic acid amplification method enabling rapid detection of viral nucleic acids.

CRISPR-Cas13a: An RNA-guided nuclease system employed for sequence-specific detection of viral RNA.

Vertical transmission: The passage of virus from parent to progeny, often via the egg in avian species.

References

1. N123I mutation in the ALV-J receptor-binding domain region enhances viral replication ability by increasing the binding affinity with chNHE1. PLOS Pathogens (2024).
2. Detection of Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup J (ALV-J) Using RAA and CRISPR-Cas13a Combined with Fluorescence and Lateral Flow Assay. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
3. Detection and genetic diversity of subgroup K avian leukosis virus in local chicken breeds in Jiangxi from 2021 to 2023. Frontiers in Microbiology (2024).