In vitro propagation of parvovirus B19 in primary foetal liver culture.

The culture of parvovirus B19 in foetal liver tissue has been described recently. We have established the technique in our laboratory and studied parameters affecting the yield of B19 virus. Replication of the virus was detected by radioimmunoassay for B19 antigen and dot blot hybridization assay of B19 DNA, and the virus was localized by immunofluorescence and thin section electron microscopy. B19 DNA and antigen production became detectable at day 2 and reached a maximum at day 5. Virus particles were seen mainly in cell nuclei, but some cytoplasmic membranes were lined with virus particles. The amount of virus produced depended on the age of the foetus and the cell culture and the concentration of erythropoietin and interleukin 3 in the culture medium.