Replication of measles virus in cultured human thymic epithelial cells.

Measles virus can replicate in cultures of both infantile and fetal human thymic epithelial cells. Virus-induced cytopathology including syncytium formation was first evident around 24 hr after viral inoculation of these cultures. At the same time, the cultures began to lose their characteristic thymus-like organizational structure. Viral antigens were detected in infected cells by indirect immunofluorescence, and the presence of progeny virions was demonstrated in culture fluids.