Optimized Quantitation of Marek’s Disease Virus using Multiplex QPCR Thermo Scientific ABsolute Blue & ABsolute Fast QPCR master mixes

Introduction Marek’s disease, an economically-important lymphoid neoplasm of chickens, is caused by oncogenic strains of Marek’s disease herpesvirus (MDV). The virus replicates in lymphocytes and the epithelia of the skin and feather tissues (1). Despite very successful vaccination with attenuated virus strains, vaccine failures do occur as field viruses evolve towards greater virulence. In the Avian Oncogenic Virus Group, led by Professor Venugopal Nair, our research is focused on mechanisms of oncogenesis, genes involved in oncogenicity and increased virulence, and mechanisms of vaccinal protection. Central to these studies is the ability to accurately quantify vaccine and virulent strains of MDV in chicken tissue samples.