EVALUATION OF AVIAN EMBRYOS AND CELL CULTURE FOR ISOLATION AND PROPAGATION OF LOW PATHOGENICITY AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUSES by KIRA ANN MORESCO

PROPAGATION OF LOW PATHOGENICITY AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUSES by KIRA ANN MORESCO (Under the Direction of David E. Swayne) ABSTRACT Growth parameters of low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses were examined in eight cell cultures and in three types of avian embryos. Virus detection was compared for samples collected from experimentally infected birds, using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, embryonating chicken eggs, and five cell culture systems. Virus isolation from wild bird samples was compared using embryonating chicken, duck, and turkey eggs, as well as two cell culture systems. Virus isolation success was lowest using cell culture. Virus isolation was similar in embryonating chicken, duck, and turkey eggs. Embryonating chickens eggs had the highest virus isolation efficiency for avian influenza virus samples with cycle threshold of less than or equal to thirty seven. Embryonating turkey and duck eggs produced one hundred percent association between detection by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and virus isolation up to cycle threshold of thirty six for avian paramyxovirus serotype 1.