Factors affecting the stability of transmissible enteritis virus of turkeys.

The effects of environmental factors on the stability of transmissible enteritis virus of turkeys were studied, using an assay system of poult inoculation. Viral infectivity persisted for less than 6 hr at 37 C in nutrient broth. Survival of virus was enhanced in the presence of cysteine and nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide, and at 5.5. Survival was also enhanced in a growing culture of intestinal microflora and could be observed as well in a culture of in medium with reduced oxygen tension. These results were compared with findings in experiments with several other intestinal viruses, and it is suggested that some intestinal viruses may be adapted to the conditions of low H and redox potential that are normal in the intestine.