Aerosolization of Newcastle disease vaccine virus and Enterococcus faecalis

In order to study the aerosol transmission of arthropathic and amyloidogenic Enterococcus faecalis strains, preliminary aerosol experiments were performed. The experiments were carried out in empty isolators to assess the yield and viability of E. faecalis and Newcastle disease vaccine virus (NDVV) aerosol particles with time. NDVV was aerosolized because this virus would be used in combination with E. faecalis in a subsequent study. Concentrations of about 10(5) colony-forming units (CFU) of E. faecalis/ml of air were still found 30 min after the aerosol application. At 45 min, however, E. faecalis concentrations dropped below the detection level. The average E. faecalis concentration during the aerosol experiment was estimated at 10(5) CFU/liter. The NDVV aerosol generated an average of 10(4)-10(5) 50% embryo infective dose per liter of air. In these experiments, E. faecalis and NDVV aerosols were successfully generated despite considerable initial particle loss. The bacteria and virus uptakes per chick are discussed in case day-old chicks would be exposed to these aerosols.