Presence of a togavirus-like agent in cell cultures from specific pathogen free chick embryos
Farmer, H.; Frazier, J.A.
Veterinary Record 119(10): 243-244
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 2945308 Document Number: 274952
Chick embryo fibroblasts from 7 of 8 embryos, cultured for 10-14 days, had vacuoles containing spherical enveloped virus-like particles, having a virion diameter of 50 nm and core diameter of 36 nm. There was no cytopathic effect and no budding through membranes; release of particles from cells appeared to be by fusion of vacuoles with the cell membrane. The characteristics of the virus were those of the Togaviridae, genus pestivirus. It was similar to that found in gut and pancreatic duct epithelium of chickens with the infectious stunting syndrome. Confirmation of type depends on the nucleic acid, the size of the genome, and the number and size of the viral proteins.