Establishment of a persistently infected cell line with Rinderpest virus.

Persistent infection of rinderpest virus in Vero cells was established and designated as VRP34. Virus specific antigens were present in nearly 100 per cent of the cells. Cytopathic effect (CPE) consisting of syncytium formation and vacuolation is a unique feature of VRP34. Spontaneously released virus mainly consisted of non-temperature-sensitive virus populations and was able to initiate persistent infection in both normal Vero and RK13 cells. The results indicate that mutation of virus is responsible for the establishment of persistent infection.