Marek's Disease Herpesvirus MDV
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET- INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES
SECTION I: INFECTIOUS AGENT
Name: Marek's disease herpesvirus (MDV), serotype 1.
Synonym or cross reference: Gallid herpesvirus 2.
Characteristics: Family herpesviridae, subfamily alphaherpesvirinae, genus Mardivirus Enveloped virion size is approximately 160 nm. Genome double-stranded DNA of approximately 180 kb. Virus replicates in lymphocytes and epithelial cells in vivo. Cell cultured virus or virus in MDV-transformed lymphoblastoid cells is strictly cell-associated. Destruction of infected cells destroys the infectivity. ONLY CELL ASSOCIATED MDV WILL BE SHIPPED BY DR. SCHAT'S GROUP.
SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD
Pathogenicity: Infects chickens, can infect degree turkeys and Japanese quail. Infection causes destruction of lymphocytes with subsequent immunosuppression. Under certain conditions, MDV will cause lymphomas in chickens, turkeys and Japanese quail. Not infectious to humans.
Epidemiology: MDV has a world-wide distribution.
Host range: Gallinaceous birds (chickens, turkeys, Japanese quail)
Infectious dose: Theoretically, 1 plaque forming unit can establish infection in susceptible chickens
Mode of transmission: Cell-free MDV is produced in feather follicle epithelium (FFE), as a consequence feather dust and dander can be infectious.
Incubation period: 3 to 4 days for virus replication in lymphoid organs, 12 to 16 days for virus spread through FFE, and >3 weeks for tumor development in chickens.
SECTION III - DISSEMINATION
Reservoir: Chickens
Zoonosis: None
Vectors: None
SECTION IV -VIABILITY
Drug susceptibility: N/A
Susceptibility to disinfectants: Cell-associated MDV is susceptible to many disinfectants 10 minutes in 1% hypochlorite is recommended.
Physical inactivation: Cell-associated virus: 30 minutes at 56° C. Cell-free virus: 10 minutes 1% hypochlorite, 30 minutes at 56° C.
Survival outside the host: Cell-associated virus depends on viability of the cells. Cell-free virus from FFE bound to cellular debris: 4 to 8 months at room temperature.
SECTION V- MEDICAL
NA, not infectious for humans.
SECTION VI-LABORATORY HAZARDS
Laboratory-acquired infections: Human laboratory infections have not been reported.
SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS
Containment requirements: Cell-associated virus: biosafety level 1 would be satisfactory, but level 2 will be needed to prevent bacterial contamination of cell cultures.
Protective clothing: Laboratory coat is recommended
Other precautions: None
SECTION VIII-HANDLING INFORMATION
Spills: Cell-associated virus: cover with 1 % hypochlorite or 70% alcohol and clean up with paper towels.
Disposal: Cell-associated virus: add 1% hypochlorite to virus-infected cell suspension or autoclave.
Storage: In cryogenic vials in liquid nitrogen (preferred for long-term storage) or -80° C for up to 1 month.
SECTION IX-MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Date prepared: May 2005
Prepared by: K.A. Schat, Professor of Avian Virology
Information was based on the chapter Marek's disease by Witter, R.L. and Schat, K.A in Diseases of poultry (the text book on poultry diseases) 11th edition, 2003.