Efficacy of various chemical agents against avian influenza virus (Type H9)

In the present project, 300 eggs were taken from Big Birds. They were cleared and incubated for 9 days. After 9 days they were candled to separate the live and dead embryo. On the 11th day, the embryos were inoculated with the different concentrations of drugs. Chlorine was taken in the concentration of 1, 2 and 5 ppm. They were divided into control and experimental groups containing drug + Normal saline and drug + virus. The results showed that 2 ppm and 5 ppm chlorine was most effective as disinfectant, while 1 ppm was not effective. Iodine was also tested in the concentration of 0.1, 0.5 and 1 percent. The results showed that 1% and 0.5% solutions are highly antiviral but are toxic for living cells, while 0.1% iodine is virucidal against virus and can be used for the living cells as it was not toxic for embryo. Amantadine 50 mug/ml, 500 mug/ml and 1000 mug/ml were used along with virus and normal saline. Results show that 1000 mug/ml concentration was toxic f or cell and hence can not be used in vivo, while 50 mug/ml failed to stop the replication of virus. 500 mug/ml concentration not only stopped the viral replication but also did not kill the embryo. So 500 mug/ml of amantadine can be used in poultry, if desired. Acyclovir used in the concentration of 50 mug/ml, 200 mug/ml and 400 mug/ml. Results showed that acyclovir was effective within the range of 200 mug/ml to 400 mug/ml without any fear of damage to cell, but 50 mug/ml concentration failed to stop the viral replication and also showed high HA titer. In herbal group, Soybean was tested in the concentration of 1g/100 ml, 5g/100 ml and 10g/100 ml. When the results were collected. It was noticed that neither concentration of soybean has any antiviral effect against influenza. Opuntia plant group which comprises of three species named: O-Stricta, O-Dellinii and O-Manocantha was testified for their antiviral efficacy. The concentrations used were 1 gm, 5 gms and 10 gms dissolv ed in 100 ml of Normal saline. Their extracts were obtained and injected in the embryo along with virus and normal saline for experimental and control groups after giving them an interaction time of one hour. In the results, 10 g/100 ml and 5 g/100 ml show a good antiviral efficacy against influenza, while 1g/100 ml failed to show any significant effect and gave high HA titer, so in Pakistan these herbal drugs should be further investigated so that these can be used against influenza.