BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF AN INDIAN ISOLATE OF EGG DROP SYNDROME-76 VIRUS

An isolate of egg drop syndrome-76 virus replicated best in primary ch icken embryo liver cells and less well in duck embryo liver cells, duc k embryo fibroblast cells and chicken embryo kidney cells. The cytopat hic effect in chicken embryo liver cells was marked by the presence of round and refractile cells and detachment of cells from the glass sur face. The intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies were observed by 24 to 48 hours after infection. No virus multiplication was observed i n primary quail embryo fibroblast cells, chicken embryo fibroblast cel ls or mammalian cells like Vero, BHK-21 and MDBK. Duck embryos support ed the maximum growth of the virus, with allantoic fluid having the hi ghest haemagglutinin titre, followed in order by chorioallantoic membr ane, skin and internal organs. Chicken and quail embryos did not suppo rt the growth of the virus.