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Updated: Jun 15, 2026
Influenza Virus Propagation in Embryonated Chicken Eggs
Published on: March 19, 2015
Propagation of avian metapneumovirus subtypes A and B using chicken embryo related and other cell systems
Lia Treptow Coswig1, Márcia Bianchi dos Santos, Hafez Mohamed Hafez
1Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Av. General San Martin, 1000 Recife, PE 50630-060, Brazil. lia.coswig@agricultura.gov.br
Abstract:
Primary isolation of avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) is carried out using tracheal organ culture (TOC) or chicken embryonated eggs with subsequent adaptation in chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) or Vero cultures. This study was conducted to evaluate six different cell lines and two avian culture systems for the propagation of aMPV subtypes A and B. The chicken embryo related (CER) cells were used successfully for primary isolation. In addition to Vero and baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells, CER cells were also shown to be the most appropriate for propagation of aMPV considering high titres. Propagation of A and B subtypes in CEF and TOC remained efficient after the primary isolation and several passages of viruses in the CER cell line. The growth curves were created using CER, Vero and BHK-21 cell lines. Compared with growth, both yielded higher titres in CER cells during the first 30 h after infection, but no significant difference was observed in the results obtained from CER and Vero cells. This data show that CER cells are adequate for aMPV subtypes A and B propagation, giving similar results to Vero cells.
Insights
Chicken embryo related (CER) cells are effective for isolating and propagating avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) subtypes A and B. CER cells provide high virus titres, comparable to Vero cells, making them suitable for aMPV research.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Cell Culture Technology
- Avian Pathology
Background:
- Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) is a significant pathogen in poultry.
- Current primary isolation methods include tracheal organ culture (TOC) and chicken embryonated eggs, with subsequent adaptation in cell lines like chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) or Vero cells.
- Optimizing cell culture systems is crucial for efficient aMPV propagation and research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate six different cell lines and two avian culture systems for aMPV subtypes A and B propagation.
- To determine the most suitable cell line for primary isolation and high-titre propagation of aMPV.
- To compare the growth kinetics of aMPV in selected cell lines.
Main Methods:
- Primary isolation and propagation of aMPV subtypes A and B were performed using various cell lines including chicken embryo related (CER), Vero, and baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells.
- Comparative analysis of virus titres and growth curves in different cell lines.
- Evaluation of chicken embryo related (CER) cells for primary isolation and subsequent passages.
Main Results:
- Chicken embryo related (CER) cells demonstrated successful primary isolation of aMPV.
- CER cells, along with Vero and BHK-21 cells, were found to be most appropriate for aMPV propagation, yielding high titres.
- Growth curves indicated higher titres in CER cells within the first 30 hours post-infection, with results comparable to Vero cells.
Conclusions:
- Chicken embryo related (CER) cells are adequate for the propagation of avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) subtypes A and B.
- CER cells offer comparable performance to Vero cells for aMPV propagation, making them a viable option for research and diagnostics.
- The study highlights the utility of CER cells in avian metapneumovirus research.
