Growth Characteristics of a Highly Virulent, a Moderately Virulent, and an Avirulent Strain of Equine Arteritis Virus in Primary Equine Endothelial Cells Are Predictive of Their Virulence to Horses

AbstractEquine viral arteritis (EVA) is an endotheliotropic viral disease of horses caused by equine arteritis virus (EAV). Although there is only one serotype of EAV, there is marked variation in the virulence of different strains of the virus. The replication and cytopathogenicity of three well-characterized strains of EAV of different virulence to horses were compared in rabbit kidney (RK-13) and primary equine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (ECs). Viral protein expression, plaque size, and cytopathogenicity of all three viruses were similar in RK-13 cells, whereas two virulent strains of EAV were readily distinguished from an avirulent strain by their plaque morphology and cytopathogenicity in primary equine ECs. Furthermore, EAV nucleocapsid protein was detected by flow cytometric analysis significantly later in ECs infected with the avirulent than those infected with the virulent strains of EAV. Primary equine ECs provide a convenient and relevant model for in vitro characterization of the pathogenesis of EVA and the virulence determinants of EAV

The e-interview in qualitative research

In this chapter the authors consider using email as a method for carrying out in-depth, qualitative research interviews. Prompted by an experience of conducting e-interviews, they set out some of their key characteristics, embedding their discussion in the methodological and conceptual literature on qualitative interview and on-line research. The authors then offer a methodological consideration of e-interviewing, focusing on three broad areas: the practical, the interpersonal, and the ethical, highlighting the ways in which e-interviewing transforms aspects of each. They end by offering a view of the future of e-interviewing in the broader landscape of on-line qualitative research methods in general and interviewing in particular