Biological and physical properties of a virus (strain 127) associated with the egg drop syndrome 1976

The biological and physical properties of strain 127 virus, a haemagglutinating virus associated with the egg drop syndrome 1976, are described. Haematoxylin and eosin and immunofluorescent studies demonstrated that virus multiplication took place in the nucleus of cells with production of typical adenovirus inclusions. Thin section electron microscopy showed typical adenovirus particles and associated inclusions accumulating in nuclei. Strain 127 infectivity was stable in monovalent but not divalent cations, and stable to ether treatment and extremes of pH. IDU inhibition indicated presence of DNA. Growth of 127 as evidenced by HA production was better in duck kidney, fibroblast and liver cells, than in fowl cell cultures, while growth in turkey cells was limited to kidney and liver cultures. There was no evidence of growth in a range of mammalian cells. Strain 127 agglutinated erythrocytes from avian but not mammalian species and the haemagglutinin was stable to heating and freezing. There was no crossing in neutralisation or haemagglutination-inhibition tests between 127 and 11 fowl adenoviruses, and no cross-immunofluorescence between 127 and FAV-1. It is concluded that 127 is an avian adenovirus, possibly originating from ducks.