Growth of murine cytomegalovirus in a heterologous cell system and its enhancement by 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine.

Mouse cytomegalovirus replicated in rabbit kidney cultures, a cell system of nonrodent origin. However, the sensitivity of these cultures, and the yields of virus therefrom, were lower than those of mouse cultures. Although a cytopathic effect developed in rabbit kidney cultures inoculated with sufficient amounts of the virus, such cultures were unsatisfactory for plaque assay. This was also true when rabbit fibroblast cultures were used, even though the murine cytomegalovirus replicated much better in mouse fibroblasts than in mouse kidney cultures, the latter of which contained extensive areas of epithelial cells. Viral growth in rabbit kidney cells was considerably enhanced when those cells had been initiated and grown in the presence of 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine; not only were the viral titers increased, but also the clarity and distinctness of the inclusion bodies.