By Aisling Berrios

Faculty Mentor: Lynn Lewis

Abstract

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a severe and fatal disease to poultry, causing widespread economic losses for both industries and private farms. With the search for treatment continuing, this research project aims to uncover the antiviral properties of the antipsychotic drug, lithium chloride, for treatment against NDV in BHK-21 hamster cells. Lithium chloride is traditionally used against psychotic disorders, though recent studies have confirmed its antiviral effectiveness against HSV. Lithium’s ability against enveloped viruses that utilize membrane fusion and host detection evasion makes it a prime candidate for use against NDV. This research hopes to expand on lithium chloride’s antiviral potential against NDV and other respiratory viruses in future research.