In vitro infection of human bone marrow by feline leukemia viruses.

ABSTRACT

Four subgroup feline leukemia viruses (FeLV) were tested for their ability to infect primary cultures of human bone marrow in vitro. Using three sequential exposures to both concentrated and unconcentrated virus, FeLV infection of human bone marrow was documented by indirect immunofluorescence, ELISA, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Based on comparison to known standards, it was estimated that between 5 and 10% of the bulk human marrow culture could be infected by FeLV. Further evidence for FeLV reverse transcription, integration, and expression was obtained using specific PCR assays.