Isolation of a novel avian entero-like virus

A virus isolated from the faeces of a 27-day-old broiler chicken resembled an enterovirus in size and morphology, cytoplasmic replication and resistance to pH3 and chloroform treatment. This isolate, designated EF84/700, grew in the chorioallantoic membrane of chicken embryos, but not in a range of avian primary cell cultures. It produced subclinical infections in young chicks experimentally infected per os. In a small serological survey, antibody to EF84/700 was detected by indirect immunofluorescence in turkey sera but not in chicken sera. Cross-immunofluorescence studies showed that EF84/700 was antigenically distinct from previously characterised enteroviruses and entero-like viruses from chickens, ducks and turkeys.