Growth comparisons of avian infectious bronchitis virus strains in organ cultures of chicken tissues.

Six strains of avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) were used to inoculate explants of a range of 15 chicken tissues and virus growth kinetics observed over a period of 96 hours thereafter. Similar patterns of virus production were given by all 6 strains from explants of any particular tissue such as the nasal turbinates, trachea, lung, air sacs and oviduct. Nevertheless, significant differences in behaviour between strains were noted for different tissues and in the efficiency with which certain tissues produced virus. It is suggested that the method has a potential value in determining the virulence of different strains of IBV by comparing their pathogenesis of chicken tissues in vitro.