Growth kinetics of equine respiratory tract viruses in cell and organ cultures.

Growth kinetics of equine influenza virus-A1, equine herpesvirus-1, and equine rhinovirus-1 were determined in susceptible cell monolayers and in organ cultures of equine fetal tracheal and nasal turbinate epithelium. Equine influenza virus-A1 was replicated in cell and organ cultures and was released more readily and for longer periods from nasal turbinate epithelium than from tracheal epithelium. Equine herpesvirus-1 was also replicated in cell and organ cultures. During the first 24 hours after inoculation, equine herpesvirus-1 was released more readily from tracheal epithelium than from nasal turbinate epithelium. Beyond postinoculation day 1, virus was released more readily and for longer periods from nasal turbinate epithelium than from tracheal epithelium. Equine rhinovirus-1 replicated in cell and organ cultures, but almost exclusively from nasal turbinate epithelium.