LOCALIZATION OF RABBIT KIDNEY VACUOLATING VIRUS IN VIRAL AND CHEMICAL TUMORS OF RABBIT SKIN

Abstract

Viral and chemical epidermal tumors of rabbits may be contaminated with the rabbit kidney vacuolating (RKV) virus either naturally or by artificial means. The RKV virus was isolated from 17 out of 28 Shope tumors, and 9 out of 23 chemical tumors. Four rabbits bearing papillomas or carcinomas negative in initial tests for RKV virus were given intravenous injections of that virus. Subsequent tests showed virus in extracts of normal skin and tumors of all four animals.