Tissue Cultures for Virus Investigations in the Field

Abstract

An investigation was made using fluid tissue cultures for the propagation of virus to determine possible application to field studies in virus diseases. The tissue used was whole minced 9-day chick embryo. One piece approx. 2 mm. diam. was placed in tubes each containing 2 ml. of fluid medium. Serum ultrafiltrate, Simms'' physiol. soln. (Arch. Path. 33: 619. 1942), and serum ultrafiltrate plus sulfadiazine were the fluids used. Western strain equine encephalomyelitis virus was used throughout. Serum ultrafiltrate proved to be the superior fluid medium as small units of tissue in 2 ml. of this fluid remained viable at least 35 days at 25[degree] C[plus or minus]7[degree], 4 wks. at 37[degree] C, and 3 wks. at 4[degree]-6[degree] C. Propagation of virus was closely correlated with tissue viability. Sulfadiazine added to the tissue culture showed a slight toxic effect but may be used as a bacterio-static agent so that contaminated specimens may be tested for virus.