In vitro characterizations of infectious bronchitis virus (Egypt/Beni-Suef/01 strain) were studied. Heat stability at 56 °C for 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 min, UV irradiation for 10, 15, 20, and 30 min, chloroform sensitivity, pH stability, and E/M examination were screened. Two-week-old commercial chickens were inoculated
intraocularly with Egypt/Beni-Suef/01. At days 1, 3, 5, 7, 11 and 14 days postinfection, three birds were euthanatized, and virus antigens were screened using
immunofluorescence. Histopathology of both trachea & kidney was also performed.
Egypt /Beni-Suef/01 was found to be sensitive to 56 °C for 5 min, UV for 10 min
and chloroform but resistant to pH 3 and pH 9. It showed typical morphology of
coronaviruses by E/M. The virus was found to induce mild respiratory signs and
sever renal changes. Immunoflourescence staining showed viral antigen in larynx,
trachea, thymus, lung, liver, spleen, renal tubules and glomeruli as well as bursa of
Fabricius but not in pancreas. Marked histopathological lesions were also detected
in both trachea and kidneys.