In vitro replication of a reptilian adenovirus.

The morphological alterations of IgH-2 cells infected with a reptilian adenovirus were investigated during 1 cycle of virus replication. The virus particles entering the cell 1 h post infection (pi) were present in cytoplasmic receptosomes few hours later. About 24 h pi nucleocapsids entered the nucleus. Eosinophilic granulation of the nucleus and intra-nuclear inclusion bodies appeared between 30-60 h pi. Small round and ring-shaped (type I), circular, semicircular or rod-shaped (type II) and large, sharp, round (type III) inclusion bodies were formed. Typical crystalline aggregates of virions appeared at the periphery of the nucleus 48-60 h pi. The release of virions into the cytoplasm was followed by lysis of the infected cells. The destruction of cell monolayer was evident 96 h after infection.