title: Isolation of St. Louis encephalitis virus from a killer whale.
abstract: We report the isolation of St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE) virus from a mature male killer whale (Orcinus orca). This represents the first isolation of SLE virus from a marine mammal. The animal presented with reduced appetite, rapidly became lethargic and subsequently died. Virus-induced CPE was observed in a dolphin cell line, SP-1K (ATCC CCL 78), inoculated with brain, kidney, and lung tissues obtained at necropsy. Electron microscopy of infected SP-1K cells revealed the presence of virions having morphology and size resembling members of the Flaviviridae. Final identification as SLE virus was made by neutralization and immunofluorescence staining tests.
authors.affiliation: Virology Department, American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buck
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Paulino
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Hsiung
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Walsh