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The pathogenicity of variola virus: A comparison of the growth of standard strains of variola major and variola minor viruses in cell cultures from human embryos

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 March 2010

K. R. Dumbell  and
D. G. T. Wells
K. R. Dumbell
Affiliation:
St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, London W2
D. G. T. Wells
Affiliation:
St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, London W2
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The international reference strains of variola major (Harvey) and of variola minor (Butler) were grown in cultures of skin and muscle cells from human embryos. The development of infective virus, complement-fixing antigen, haemagglutinin and cytological changes were followed at four temperatures between 35 and 40 °C. No significant difference was found in the amount of virus produced by Harvey or Butler viruses at any of the experimental temperatures, but Harvey attained the plateau titre at 16 h, some 4 h ahead of Butler in the cultures incubated at 38 °C. Harvey also produced a higher and more prolonged yield of virus in the extracellular medium of cultures, inoculated at low multiplicity and incubated at 37 °C. At 38 °C small inocula of Harvey produced foci which developed and spread till the whole culture was necrotic; Butler foci did not spread and remained relatively undeveloped at this temperature.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 89 , Issue 3 , December 1982 , pp. 389 - 397
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1982

References

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