Evaluation of cell line 293 for virus isolation in routine viral diagnosis

Cell line 293, a continuous line of transformed human embryonic kidney cells, has been recognized for its sensitivity in the isolation of adenoviruses, particularly the fastidious species 40 and 41, from stool specimens. To explore the possibility of using this cell line for the isolation of other viruses from clinical specimens, 293 cells were tested for their susceptibility to a variety of viruses including herpes simplex virus, parainfluenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, and the enteroviruses ECHO 11, coxsackie B5, and coxsackie B6. All of the viruses induced a cytopathic effect in 293 cells. Consequently, 293 cells were introduced into the diagnostic laboratory and used along with primary African green monkey kidney (AGMK) cell cultures for the inoculation of all respiratory and stool specimens. The study represents a retrospective analysis of the performance of 293 cells over a 22-month period. It was confirmed that 293 cells were more sensitive than AGMK cells for the isolation of adenoviruses from both respiratory and stool specimens. The 293 cells were also sensitive for the isolation of enteroviruses (untyped) but more so from stool specimens than from respiratory specimens. Parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus were only rarely isolated in 293 cells. Herpesvirus isolates were obtained with equal frequency in both 293 and AGMK cells. This retrospective analysis confirms the value of 293 cells for the isolation of adenoviruses and demonstrates that 293 cells are also useful for the isolation of certain enteroviruses from both respiratory and stool specimens.