Avian sarcoma leukosis virus  From Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Avian Sarcoma Leukosis
Virus Virus classification Group: Group VI (ssRNA-RT) Order:
Unassigned Family: Retroviridae Subfamily: Orthoretrovirinae
Genus: Alpharetrovirus Species: Avian leukosis virus  Avian
sarcoma leukosis virus (ASLV) is an endogenous retrovirus that
infects and can lead to cancer in chickens; experimentally it
can infect other species of birds and mammals.[1][2] ASLV
replicates in chicken embryo fibroblasts, the cells that
contribute to the formation of connective tissues. Different
forms of the disease exist, including lymphoblastic,
erythroblastic, and osteopetrotic.  Avian sarcoma leukosis virus
is characterized by a wide range of tumors, the most common of
which are lymphomas. Lymphoid leukosis is the most common form
of this disease and with typical presentation of gradual onset,
persistent low mortality, and neoplasia of the bursa.[3] The
disease is also characterized by an enlarged liver du