Demonstration of Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis in Tissue Culture By Immunofluorescence

Abstract

Summary

In a guinea pig heart cell line, infected with an egg-adapted strain of Trinidad VEE, the virus could be demonstrated by immunofluorescence prior to development of CPE. Formalin fixation preserved the antigenicity, and the cover slips could be stored in this fixative at 4°C for periods up to 2 weeks without diminution of specific fluorescence. A whole burro serum conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate with a counterstain added proved a more reliable reagent than fractionated or absorbed sera. The model as described has the possibility of obtaining a specific viral diagnosis at the clinical level in the period normally required for initial isolation by conventional cell culture technics.