PATHOLOGY OF MAREKS-DISEASE VIRUS-INDUCED ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC CHICKENS

Experimental studies were carried out to elucidate the pathology and p athogenesis of MDV-induced atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolaemic ch ickens. In MDV infected hypercholesterolaemic chickens there were more fatty lesions as well as fatty-proliferative type of lesions compared to virus infected normocholesterolaemic chickens and the lipid accumu lations were demonstrated in the aortas and brachiocephalic arteries b y histochemical stainings. There appeared to be a synergy between viru s infection and cholesterol dietary supplementation on the development of atherosclerotic lesions.