A comparison of two cell culture systems for the primary isolation of enteric viruses

Several studies have been reported on the comparative susceptibility of various cell cultures for the primary isolation of enteric viruses. The present report gives a comparison of human embryo kidney cells and rhesus monkey kidney cells for the primary isolation of viruses from faecal specimens. Altogether, 148 enteroviruses, covering 21 serotypes, and 20 adenoviruses were isolated. The marked sensitivity of human embryo kidney cells to adenoviruses was again demonstrated. These cells, however, were found to be significantly less sensitive than rhesus monkey cells for the isolation of the enteroviruses encountered. This finding is in conflict with the results of a previous study and is partly explained by the difference in enterovirus composition of the two series. The value of human embryo kidney cells for the primary isolation of enteric viruses would seem to be closely related to the prevalence of adenoviruses and certain coxsackievirus A serotypes in the population studied.