Replication of encephalomyocarditis virus in various mammalian cell types

Recently, the biological and biochemical characteristics of EMC virus have received considerable attention, but little is known concerning the relative susceptibility of various mammalian cells to EMC virus. In this study, a variety of mammalian cell types was evaluated for susceptibility to the M strain of EMC virus by comparing peak viral titers, time course of infection, plaquing efficiency, and formation of viral antigens. Infection of all murine and guinea pig cell types resulted in substantial virus replication and induction of viral antigens in greater than 95% of cells. Human cell lines supported replication with a slower time course, but significant increases in viral yield and plaquing efficiency occurred with viral adaptation following successive replication cycles in human cells. All rat cell lines were relatively resistant to EMC virus infection and replication, and less than 1% of rat cells expressed viral antigens. Attempts were unsuccessful to adapt virus by successive replication cycles in rat cells. The possible reasons for the relative resistance of rat cells are currently under investigation.