Comparative sensitivities of viruses to cell cultures and transport media

The relative sensitivities and temporal permissivenesses of human embryonic kidney, baboon kidney, and human fibroblast (WI-38) cells for primary isolation of viruses were compared. Of 405 viruses isolated, 83% (335) were cultivated in human embryonic kidney cells, and 49% (198) in baboon kidney cells. WI-38 cells supported the growth of 34% of 199 viral agents. Of the 405 isolates, 70% manifested a cytopathic effect first in human embryonic kidney cells. Daily cumulative rates for primary virus isolation from 1960 to 1974 were examined. Of 558 virus isolates, 58% showed cytopathic effects within seven days after inoculation of the specimen. Comparison of two transport media demonstrated that the total number of isolates from tryptic soy broth approximated twice the number detected with charcoal viral transport medium.