The multiplication of Nodamura virus in insect and mammalian cell cultures

Nodamura virus multiplied in mosquito cell lines, as determined by infectivivity assays in adult honey bees (Apis mellifera) and wax moth larvae (Galleria mellonella). Titres of more than 10-7 and 10-5 bee LD50 /ml were obtained in culture fluids of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti cells respectively after 10 days. Comparable titres were obtained after several months, during which the cultures were subdivided up to six times. Nodamura virus also multiplied in BHK cells and yielded titres of 10-4-8 to 10-6-6 mouse LD50/ml and 10-5-1 to 10-7-1 wax moth LD50/ml in culture fluid 1 to 4 days after infection. No c.p.e. was observed in infected cells.