Comparison of pestivirus multiplication in cells of different species

Twenty-four pestiviruses, comprising 11 from pigs, eight from cattle and five from sheep, were tested for their ability to replicate in cells of porcine, bovine and ovine origin. Seven of the viruses were successfully passaged in all three cell types. Four porcine isolates (hog cholera virus) replicated to significant titres only in porcine cells. One bovine virus grew well in bovine cells but only poorly in ovine cells and not at all in porcine cells. The remaining 12 viruses could replicate in cells from two of the three host species. The pattern of replication in different cell types varied between different isolates of the same virus species.