Comparison of sensitivity of BHK-21 and murine neuroblastoma cells in the isolation of a street strain rabies virus.

The sensitivities of BHK-21 (C-13) and murine neuroblastoma (C-1300; clone NA) cells for the isolation of small quantities of a street strain rabies virus were compared. Suspensions of brain from mice sacrificed prior to the onset of clinical signs of rabies were used to stimulate weakly positive diagnostic specimens. The results of cell culture isolation were compared with those of the direct fluorescent-antibody test and virus isolation in weanling mice. Neuroblastoma cells were more sensitive to the street strain rabies virus than were BHK-21 cells. Neuroblastoma cell virus isolation, the mouse inoculation test, and the fluorescent-antibody test all showed comparable sensitivity.