Cell Cultures for Detection of Trachoma Virus from Experimental Simian Infections.

Abstract

Ocular specimens, taken repeatedly from experimental trachoma in 2 rhesus monkeys, were cultured in parallel in McCoy cell cultures and in yolk sacs of embryonated eggs, to explore the feasibility of using the cell culture method of demonstrating virus as an aid in recognizing the infection. The results indicate a potential usefulness of the cell culture method in which the test can be read in 48 hours. When washing of the conjunctival sacs was compared with swabbing with dry cotton as a method of obtaining material for culture, the former procedure yielded a slightly greater number of positive tests. Bacteriologic studies on the specimens showed that the levels of streptomycin and ristocetin used in the cell cultures and yolk sacs satisfactorily protected against contamination by a variety of bacterial types.