Protective Effect of Seaweed Extracts for Chicken Embryos Infected with Influenza B or Mumps Virus

Abstract

1) Polysaccharides extracted from Gelidium cartilagenium and carrageenin exerted a marked inhibitory effect on growth of influenza B virus and mumps virus in embryonated eggs but had no effect on the multiplication of influenza A virus and NDV. Significant protection against otherwise fatal infections with influenza B virus was obtained when treatment was delayed as long as 24 hours after viral inoculation. 2) Use of commercial agar as a vehicle for insoluble compounds may yield misleading results in screening tests in chicken embryos infected with either influenza B or mumps virus. The use of inert agents such as carboxymethyl cellulose obviates this difficulty.