Vaccine cell substrates: bovine and porcine virus considerations

The use of materials of animal origin to supplement cell cultures used in vaccine production, viral diagnostic testing, or materials testing may lead to contamination of the vaccines, with seroconversion or disease in the vaccinated animals, and possible misdiagnosis of diagnostic samples or incorrect test results. The methods used by the Center for Veterinary Biologics to monitor serum and cell cultures are described. Considerations for the use of animal origin materials, especially bovine and porcine, as substrates or additives, plus the possibility of crossovers to humans are discussed.