Analysis by high throughput sequencing of Specific Pathogen Free eggs

Biologicals. 2014 Jul;42(4):218-9. doi: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2014.05.004. Epub 2014 Jun 13.

Abstract

Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) embryonated eggs are used for the production of many veterinary and human vaccines. We have used High Throughput Sequencing to screen allantoic fluids and embryos for the presence of encapsidated viral genomes and viral transcripts, respectively. SPF eggs from two different producers were tested. We evidenced sequences corresponding to known endogenous retroviruses and sequences of Avian Leukosis Virus, but no sequence that might suggest a productive infection of eggs with a virus even distant from known viruses. Our results strongly suggest that SPF eggs such as those used for this study represent a safe substrate for the production of vaccines.

Keywords: Chicken; Egg; High throughput sequencing; Specific Pathogen Free; Vaccines; Virus safety.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Avian Leukosis Virus / genetics
  • Chick Embryo
  • Chickens / virology
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Eggs / analysis*
  • Eggs / virology*
  • Endogenous Retroviruses / genetics
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / methods*
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms*
  • Vaccines / biosynthesis

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • RNA, Viral
  • Vaccines