Comparison of MRC-5 and primary rabbit kidney cells for the detection of herpes simplex virus.
OBJECTIVE
To compare MRC-5 and primary rabbit kidney (PRK) cells to either cell monolayer alone for the recovery of herpes simplex virus (HSV).


METHODS
A total of 2476 specimens received for HSV culture during a 3-year period were cultured on MRC-5 and PRK cells. Detection rates and the time to first detection were determined for each cell type used. A cost analysis was also performed for the isolation and identification of HSV using both cell types, the MRC-5 cell line alone, and PRK cell culture alone.


METHODS
Large, urban, tertiary-care, university-affiliated hospital.


RESULTS
Of the 2476 specimens cultured for HSV, 535 (21.6%) were positive. The MRC-5 cell line detected 531 (99.3%), and the PRK cell culture detected 522 (97.6%) of the positive specimens. Thirteen HSV isolates were detected only in MRC-5 cells, and four were isolated only in PRK cells. Approximately 44% of the cultures were positive by day 1, 84% by day 2, and 98% by day 3, regardless of the cell type used. The total cost per culture was comparable for MRC-5 and PRK cells.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no difference in the sensitivity or time to detection of HSV between PRK and MRC-5 cells either alone or in combination. Either cell type alone represents an efficient, cost-effective method for the isolation of HSV.
McCarter
Y S
YS
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hartford Hospital, CT 06102-5037, USA.
Robinson
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology; D011817:Rabbits; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay; D014776:Virus Cultivation / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*