Biochemical changes in fowl serum during infection with strains of Newcastle disease virus of differing virulence. Changes in serum proteins, uric acid, lipids and electrolytes.

Chickens aged five to six weeks were inoculated with three strains of Newcastle disease virus of differing pathogenicity. The serum level of the metabolites: total protein, albumin, globulin, uric acid, total lipids, cholesterol and electrolytes: calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium were determined. The changes in serum levels of metabolites were as follows: velogenic infection was accompanied by decrease in total protein and albumin, reduction of lipids and cholesterol and increase in uric acid. No significant changes were found in the values of these metabolites in the serum of chickens infected with mesogenic strain. Lentogenic strain caused elevation of uric acid and cholesterol. All three strains caused decrease of the level of potassium in serum.