CSIRO Science Image

Newcastle disease is a highly contagious viral disease of poultry and wild birds, capable of causing up to 100% mortality. This slide shows the results of a CAM test. This test allows researchers to establish if a virus is virulent. An egg is infected in the laboratory with the suspect samples from the outbreak. After the virus has multiplied in the egg, the egg membrane is washed with a special fluorescent chemical that attaches itself only to the Newcastle disease virus. A mild form of the virus will only be seen in the top surface of the membrane. However the more virulent strains will penetrate all levels of the membrane, as is seen in this slide.

Image: Dr Peter Hooper, Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL)

Photographer : Dr. Peter Hooper

Libraries and tags

•  disease diagnosis (animals/livestock diseases)   virology (animals)   birds   poultry   microscopy   scientific methods and facilities