Propagation and primary isolation of JCV and BKV in urinary epithelial cell cultures

Human papovavirus JC, previously passaged in amnion cells, produced a cytopathic effect in urine-derived epithelial cells, and virus-specific antigens were demonstrable by indirect immunofluorescence. The hemagglutinating titer of JCV purified from infected cell cultures was generally 100- to 1000-fold higher than the amount of viral hemagglutinin used to initiate infection. Amnion-passaged JCV was readily adapted to growth in urine-derived epithelial cells. The prototype strain of human papovavirus BK, adapted to growth in human embryonic lung cells, also productively infected urine-derived epithelial cells. Primary human fetal glial cells and urine-derived cells were used in parallel experiments for primary isolation of JCV from diseased brain tissue. For this purpose, primary human fetal glial cells were more sensitive than urine-derived epithelial cells. Primary isolations of JCV and BKV from urine sediments of transplant patients and a normal male were made in urine-derived cells. Two renal transplant patients were identified as simultaneously excreting JCV and BKV. Both JCV and BKV genomes were molecularly cloned from one urine specimen of a double excretor. Although direct comparisons between primary human fetal glial and urine-derived epithelial cells were not made, it appears that the latter may be more suitable for primary isolation of JCV from urine.