Direct Immunofluorescent Tissue Culture Assay for Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus

Abstract

Pathogenesis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCM) infection has been under investigation in several laboratories (1–5). Although LCM virus may be grown in tissue culture, no cytopathic effect has been substantiated (3, 6, 7). Hitherto the sole means of assaying for LCM virus has been by mouse titration tests. This assay is limited most noticeably by the number of animals used and time required to observe an effect. The report of immunofluorescent staining in the study of LCM virus infection (3, 4, 6) suggested that a fluorescent assay system could be devised. This communication reports a direct immunofluorescent tissue culture assay for LCM virus. Materials and Methods. LCM virus. NIH 7022 strain of LCM virus (mouse brain passage) was obtained from Dr. Wallace P. Rowe, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Md. Mice. Weanling non-inbred Swiss Webster mice were obtained from a local breeder. Latent LCM infections were not detected in these mice.