Comparison of commercial sources of primary rabbit kidney and MRC-5 cell cultures for herpes simplex virus isolation.

Two commercial sources of MRC-5 and primary rabbit kidney cell cultures were compared for sensitivity of herpes simplex virus isolation and cytopathic effect detection time. Forty-six of 78 previously positive and 50 of 234 fresh clinical specimens were positive and could be evaluated. Herpes simplex virus recovery from frozen specimens positive in at least one cell culture ranged from 85% in MRC-5 cells (M.A. Bioproducts) to 89% in primary rabbit kidney cells (M.A. Bioproducts). Herpes simplex virus recovery from fresh clinical specimens ranged from 94% in primary rabbit kidney cells (Flow Laboratories), MRC-5 cells (Flow Laboratories), and MRC-5 (M.A. Bioproducts) cells to 100% in primary rabbit kidney (M.A. Bioproducts) cells. Among the 96 positive specimens evaluated, no significant difference was found between commercially prepared MRC-5 and primary rabbit kidney cell cultures in either sensitivity or time to first detectable cytopathic effect. Cells from M.A. Bioproducts and Flow Laboratories were equally sensitive. Herpes simplex virus detection was dependent upon inoculating at least two cell culture tubes rather than if the cells were MRC-5 cells or primary rabbit kidney cells.