Comparison of MRC-5 and A-549 cells in conventional culture tubes and shell vial assays for the detection of varicella-zoster virus.
A-549 and MRC-5 cells were compared for the detection of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) by conventional tube cell culture and by shell vial assay using fresh specimens. VZV was detected in 33 (32.4%) of 102 specimens by one or all of these methods. In conventional tube culture, seven (21.2%) of 33 were positive in MRC-5 cells and 24 (72.7%) of 33 were positive in A-549 cells, a threefold increase in sensitivity. In shell vial assay, 30 (90.9%) of 33 were positive in MRC-5 cells and 31 (93.9%) of 33 were positive in A-549 cells. The samples tested by A-549 shell vial assay had more positives showing plaque formation. The two shell vial procedures gave the highest levels of sensitivity. A-549 cells provided a more sensitive method of detecting VZV in clinical specimens in both conventional tubes and shell vial assays than did MRC-5 cells.
Department of Clinical Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01655.
J P
JP
Brinker
G V
GV
Doern
D002460:Cell Line; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans