The susceptibility spectrum of primary human kidney cell cultures to the 3 groups of enteroviruses (poliomyelitis, Coxsackie and ECHO viruses) was investigated. Human kidney specimens were obtained at surgery or at autopsy. Tissues were trypsinized in the usual manner and the cells suspended in a growth medium containing Hanks'' salt solution, 0.5% lactalbumin hydrolysate, 10% medium no. 199 and 20% calf serum. Tube and prescription bottle cultures were successfully prepared from tissues after surgical removal or at autopsy if collected promptly. Poliovirus types 1, 2 and 3 grew well in both adult and infant human kidney cultures. Coxsackie A-9, B1-5 and all ECHO viruses tested (except types 7 and 10) induced distinct cellular changes with high virus titers in infant human kidney cultures, while incomplete destruction and lower virus titers were obtained in cultures derived from certain adult human kidney tissues.