Susceptibility of Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells to viral infection

The susceptibility of the C6/36 clone of Aedes albopictus monolayer cell cultures was determined with 46 prototype viruses passed through three subcultures. Viral growth was confirmed by titration of the passage material in other susceptible host systems. Nineteen viruses demonstrated good growth in C6/36 cells: coxsackievirus group A type 10 and group B types 2, 3, 4, and 5; enterovirus 69; mumps virus; poliovirus types 1 to 3; reovirus types 1 to 3; vaccinia virus; dengue virus type 2; eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus; La Crosse virus; Rocio virus; and St. Louis encephalitis virus. Ten viruses did not adapt to growth in the C6/36 cultures. Seventeen other virus strains displayed only limited growth which was primarily restricted to the initial C6/36 passage or was detected by hemagglutinin reactions without observable cell degeneration. Of the 46 viruses, 33 (72%) were capable of initiating infection with a demonstrable cytopathic effect in the initial C6/36 passage. Hemagglutination or complement fixation titers or both were obtained with dengue virus type 2, eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus, La Crosse virus, mumps virus, reovirus types 1 to 3, and Rocio, St. Louis encephalitis, and vaccinia viruses.