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[Isolation of the influenza B virus in MDCK cells]
Abstract:
The frequency of influenza B virus isolation from clinical specimens is much higher when a continuous line of dog kidney cells, MDCK, is employed, and not the developing chick embryos. Among 9 influenza B virus strains isolated during the influenza epidemic of 1983-1984 winter, 8 strains were isolated in MDCK cells and only 1 in chick embryos. The influenza B virus isolates were similar to influenza B/Singapore/222/79 virus differing from it in HI titres 2-16-fold.
Insights
Dog kidney cells (MDCK) significantly improve influenza B virus isolation compared to chick embryos. This method identified more strains during a 1983-1984 epidemic, aiding influenza research.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Influenza B virus isolation is crucial for epidemiological surveillance and vaccine development.
- Traditional methods using chick embryos have limitations in efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficiency of Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells versus chick embryos for isolating influenza B virus.
- To compare the yield of influenza B virus strains between the two isolation methods.
Main Methods:
- Clinical specimens from the 1983-1984 influenza epidemic were used.
- Influenza B virus isolation was attempted using both MDCK cell cultures and developing chick embryos.
- Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titres were used to characterize the isolated strains.
Main Results:
- MDCK cells demonstrated a higher isolation frequency for influenza B virus.
- Out of 9 strains isolated, 8 were successfully cultured in MDCK cells, while only 1 was isolated using chick embryos.
- The isolated influenza B virus strains showed minor antigenic variations compared to the reference strain B/Singapore/222/79.
Conclusions:
- MDCK cell cultures are a more sensitive and efficient method for isolating influenza B virus from clinical specimens.
- The findings suggest MDCK cells should be preferred for influenza B virus isolation in diagnostic and research settings.