Cultivation of buffalo green monkey kidney cells persistently infected with hepatitis A virus

Studies were carried out to determine the effect of prolongation of incubation periods, cocultivation with normal buffalo green monkey kidney (BGMK) cells and different concentrations of foetal calf serum (FCS) on the production of hepatitis A virus (HAV) by BGMK cell line persistently infected with HAV strain HM175. HAV could be detected from week 1 onwards. However, maintenance of cultures beyond this period was found to yield substantially higher quantities of virus. Cocultivation of persistently infected cells with normal BGMK cells also improved the antigen yields. Different concentrations of FCS did not show any effect on the amount of virus produced. The cell line was maintained up to 46 passages during which there was continuous production of HAV in the cells and release of small amounts of virus in the culture supernatants. Cell associated and cell free viral particles were found to be infectious. Supernatant derived virus was a highly suitable inoculum for infecting other susceptible cell lines. Persistently infected BGMK cell line appears to be a reliable and economical source to derive HAV in adequate amounts for diagnostic and research purposes.