Comparison of cytocidal and noncytocidal strains of Shope rabbit fibroma virus.

Seven strains of Shope fibroma virus were compared for their effect on rabbit cells in vitro. All but one of the naturally occurring strains examined in this study produced a similar response in the infected cultures. This consisted of continued cell multiplication together with changes in cell morphology and growth pattern. In contrast, a recently isolated strain of fibroma virus, the M1 strain, was found to produce a gradual cell destruction under the same cultural conditions. A comparison of the cytocidal M1 strain with a representative noncytocidal strain in vitro showed no differences in the rate of multiplication, plaque type, antigenic composition, or heat lability. Only minor differences were found in the tumors produced in rabbits by these strains.