Growth of rubella virus in human embryonic organ cultures

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Abstract
Summary: Two strains of rubella virus multiplied in organ cultures of human embryonic trachea, nasal epithelium, pharynx, larynx, skin and brain derived from foetuses aged 15–28 weeks. Growth curve experiments conducted on cultures of nasal epithelium and trachea showed that virus appeared in the culture fluid 72 hr. after inoculation and thereafter rose to titres varying from 10 to 103·7TCD50/ml. These titres persisted for periods up to 34 days after inoculation. Intracelmlar and organ culture fluid virus titres were shown to be similar in specimens tested in both the early and late stages of the growth curve. No degenerative changes or loss of ciliary activity was observed in these cultures.We are grateful to Dr H. E. M. Kay and his staff (Royal Marsden Hospital), for the supply of human embryos; Dr D. A. J. Tyrrell (M.R.C. Common Cold Research Unit, Salisbury) for his encouragement, and Miss G. E. Fairbairn (St Thomas’s Hospital) for the histological preparations.This research was supported by a grant from the Medical Research Council.