Factors affecting the infectivity of lymphocytes from cattle with bovine leukosis virus.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from 13 bovine leukosis virus infected cattle and inoculated subcutaneously into 29 recipient adult steers to determine (a) the number of mononuclear cells (equivalent amount of blood) necessary to cause infection and (b) factors influencing infectivity of mononuclear cells from bovine leukosis virus-infected animals. A total of 55 inoculations were made. Inoculation of 1 X 10(4), 2 X 10(4) and 5 X 10(4) mononuclear cells caused seroconversion in 12%, 57% and 62% of steers, respectively. No infections occurred with 1 X 10(3) or 2 X 10(3) mononuclear cells. Cattle infected for longer than 24 months and those animals greater than three years of age were more likely to cause infection with 1 to 5 X 10(4) mononuclear cells than were cattle infected for less than 24 months or animals less than three years of age. Lymphocytes from cattle with persistent lymphocytosis caused more infections when 1 X 10(4) or 2 X 10(4) mononuclear cells were inoculated, than did lymphocytes from nonpersistent lymphocytosis cattle; however, both groups were equally infectious when 5 X 10(4) mononuclear cells were inoculated. No differences were found in infectivity of experimentally vs naturally exposed animals.