Mink lung cells (MvILu) are highly susceptible to varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The titres of cell-free VZV suspensions reached 1·0 × 107 p.f.u./ml at 3 days postinfection, with subsequent cell degeneration, if MvILu cells were infected with a multiplicity of infectious virus of 0·01 p.f.u./cell. In contrast, during the same period and under the same conditions the titres of cell-free VZV were 102 to 103 times lower when grown on human foreskin fibroblasts. A fast and reliable plaque assay and a neutralization test for VZV on MvILu cells, were developed.
WellerT. H.,
WittonH. M.,
BellE. J.1958; The etiologic agents of varicella and herpes zoster. Isolation, propagation and cultural characteristics in vitro. Journal of Experimental Medicine 108:843–868