Enterovirus replication in porcine ileal explants.

Organ explants of porcine ileum were cultured in different media for up to 48 h. Tissue preservation was evaluated by light microscopy and by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Cellular structure was well maintained after incubation for 48 h in CMRL-1066 supplemented with insulin and cortisone. Explants of absorptive or lymphoid tissue from young or adult pigs were incubated with either coxsackievirus B5 (which is infectious for swine) or human poliovirus type 1 (which served as a control) for 24 h at 37 degrees C. Progeny virus was detected by plaque assay. Replication was most evident in the absorptive tissue explants from young pigs. In tissues from adults, replication occurred equally well in absorptive and lymphoid tissues. Infection in explants was inefficient, and the yield of progeny virus was low.