Detection of Bhanja virus in cell cultures by fluorescent antibody technique

The multiplication of Bhanja virus in CV-1 cells was studied both by staining the viral antigens with the FA technique and measuring the light intensity emitted by the fluorescent cells with a photomultiplier and by the simultaneous titration of intracellular and extracellular virus. The fluorescence appeared at 3 hrs post adsorption in the form of very small granules in the cytoplasm of the infected cells. Percentage of cells containing viral antigens reached its maximum at 18 hrs post adsorption. Later on the fluorescence slowly decreased. The virus in infected cells was demonstrated 9 hrs post adsorption and maximum titre was reached 48 hrs post adsorption. The cell sheet remained apparently normal and no sign of cytopathic effect was observed until 36 hrs post adsorption.