How Do You Spell ALV RELATED RETROVIRUSES?
Pronunciation: [ˌe͡ɪˌɛlvˈiː ɹɪlˈe͡ɪtɪd ɹˌɛtɹə͡ʊvˈa͡ɪɹəsɪz] (IPA) 
Pronunciation: [ˌe͡ɪˌɛlvˈiː ɹɪlˈe͡ɪtɪd ɹˌɛtɹə͡ʊvˈa͡ɪɹəsɪz] (IPA)
ALV Related Retroviruses (ALV stands for Avian Leukosis Virus) are a group of retroviruses that primarily infect birds, including chickens and turkeys. Retroviruses are a class of RNA viruses that possess an enzyme known as reverse transcriptase, which allows the virus to convert its RNA genome into DNA once it enters the host cell.
ALV is known to cause avian leukosis, a neoplastic disease characterized by the development of tumors in various organs, primarily affecting the lymphoid tissues. ALV typically spreads horizontally through direct contact between infected and susceptible birds, or vertically from infected hens to their offspring via the egg. It can also be transmitted through contaminated feeds and water.
The ALV family includes several subgroups, each with distinct genetic characteristics and disease manifestations. These subgroups are designated as A, B, C, D, and J. ALV subgroup A has been the most extensively studied and is the most common form of the virus. Each subgroup has a different tissue tropism and pathogenicity. For instance, subgroups A and B mainly cause lymphoid tumors, while subgroups D and J induce erythroblastosis in birds.
ALV infections can result in economic losses in the poultry industry due to reduced production, increased mortality, and condemnation of affected birds. Therefore, control measures include vaccination, genetic selection of resistant poultry lines, and strict biosecurity protocols to prevent the introduction and spread of the virus within poultry flocks.
