Further Studies on Multiplication of Dengue Viruses in Various Host Systems

Abstract

Summary Host range susceptibility studies with mouse adapted dengue types 1-6 have shown that cultures prepared from kidney tissues of primate origin are more sensitive to dengue virus plaque formation than culture systems originating from tissues of non-primates, e.g., porcine kidney. Plaques developed in cultures of rhesus monkey kidney (LLC-Mk₂ passage line) and porcine kidney (PS-Y-15 passage line) in 4-7 days for dengue types 2, 4, 5, and 6, and in 9-13 days for types 1 and 3. About 99% of dengue 2 was adsorbed onto primate kidney cultures in 15 minutes, but adsorption of virus in PS-Y-15 cultures was poor even after 120 minutes. When comparing multiplication rates of the dengue viruses in infant mice and two passage cell cultures, synthesis of new virus proceeded at about the same rate in both hosts. However, higher titers were usually evident in mouse brain preparations.