Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection of Diploid and Chemically Transformed Guinea-pig Embryo Cells: Factors Influencing Virus Replication

Abstract

Factors influencing the replication of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in guinea pig embryo cells were evaluated using diploid cells (GPEC) and a chemically transformed cell line (GPT). Wild-type and vaccine strains of VZV were successfully isolated and serially propagated in GPEC prepared from early gestation, whole embryos (< 2 cm in length). Low passage GPEC (.ltoreq. 5 subcultivations) were more susceptible to VZV infection than high passage GPEC (> 5 subcultivations) and guinea-pig cells were consistently less permissive than human diploid cells. Cell-free virus was produced from VZV-infected GPEC cultures by sonication and peak yields of 103 plaque forming units/ml were obtained. The isolation and propagation of VZV, as well as production of cell-free virus, in GPT are reported. Both GPEC and GPT cells were less susceptible to VZV infection than human cells. Viral replication was enhanced by incubation of VZV-infected GPT cultures at 32.degree. C rather than 36.degree. C.