Abstract:
A method of plaque assay for African horsesickness virus (AHSV) is described. Three cell lines were tested of which BHK21 was the most satisfactory. With an increase in Actinomycin D concentration, an increased inhibition of infective virus production was observed. Sucrose gradient sedimentation analysis of AHSV-RNA revealed at least six components. Eight components were resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the components varied from 0.5 x 10⁶ to 2.8 x 10⁶ daltons, with a total molecular weight estimate of 1.5 x 10⁷ daltons for 10 segments in the viral genome. The significance of the relationship between AHSV, bluetongue virus and reovirus is discussed.
