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Influenza Virus Propagation in Embryonated Chicken Eggs
Published on: March 19, 2015
Induction of chick embryo feather malformations by an influenza C virus
Insights
Influenza C virus infection in chicken embryos caused abnormal feather development, linked to high viral loads. Later infection stages or antibody treatment prevented these teratogenic effects.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Developmental Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Influenza C virus (ICV) is a known human pathogen.
- The teratogenic effects of ICV on avian embryonic development are not well understood.
- Understanding viral pathogenesis in developing organisms is crucial for predicting and preventing birth defects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of ICV infection on chicken embryo development.
- To identify the specific developmental abnormalities caused by ICV.
- To correlate viral load and replication site with observed teratogenic outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Chicken embryos were infected with ICV strain JJ/50 at 10 or 12 days of incubation.
- Embryos and newly hatched chicks were examined using gross observation and light microscopy.
- Viral titers were measured using hemagglutination (HA) assays.
- Mock-infected and antibody-treated groups served as controls.
Main Results:
- ICV infection at 10 days of incubation resulted in significant feathering abnormalities in newly hatched chicks.
- Microscopic examination revealed hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia of barb and barbule cells as the cause of feather defects.
- High viral titers (HA > 256) correlated with integumental necrotic foci.
- Infection at 12 days of incubation led to lower viral titers (HA = 4) and minimal respiratory epithelium degeneration, with normal feathering.
- Antibody treatment neutralized the virus, preventing feather abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- ICV infection can cause specific teratogenic effects, notably feather abnormalities, in chicken embryos.
- The timing of infection and resulting viral load are critical factors in determining the severity and type of developmental abnormalities.
- Viral replication in rapidly differentiating tissues, such as those in the integument, is closely linked to teratogenesis.
Abstract:
The effect of influenza C virus, strain JJ/50, on the development of chicken embryos infected at 10 or 12 days was documented by microscopic techniques, as well as by gross observations of embryos or chicks at hatching. The infected, newly hatched chicks displayed marked abnormalities in their feathering. Such abnormalities were observed neither in mock-infected embryos nor in embryos injected with virus which had been previously treated with specific influenza C virus antibody. At a microscopic level, the abnormalities apparently are a result of hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia of the developing barb and barbule cells. Further, the additional development of integumental necrotic foci was correlated with the development of relatively high viral titers (greater than 256) as measured by hemagglutination (HA). Embryos infected after 12 instead of 10 days incubation showed normal feathering at hatching. Infection at 12 days, however, was correlated with the development of relatively low viral titers (HA = 4) and limited degeneration of the respiratory epithelium. The relationship of teratogenic effects to the site of viral replication in rapidly differentiating tissue is discussed.
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