Production of influenza virus in cell cultures for vaccine preparation

Influenza virus strains of different types for use as an inactivated vaccine have been successfully grown in different cell lines. Increasing titres were obtained with BHK-21/BRS, VERO and MDCK cells. Cultures in stationary flasks, in spinner cultures or in large bioreactor systems were tested and the optimal conditions were studied. MDCK cells grown in serum-free medium before and during the virus production phase were found to yield high titres in the presence of trypsin. Satisfactory results were obtained with egg-adapted strains of human and equine origin as well as with strains just isolated from human patients without any further passages in eggs or cell culture.