Comparison of stationary and roller cultures for the isolation of herpesviruses affecting livestock.

The effect of rotating cultures on the isolation and cultivation of pseudorabies, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and equine rhinopneumonitis viruses was studied. Serial ten-fold dilutions of laboratory strains of these viruses and field strains of pseudorabies virus were inoculated in two each of roller and stationary tubes of appropriate cell cultures. All tubes were examined daily for the appearance of cytopathic effects. Roller cultures were found to slightly enhance the speed and extent of cytopathic effect produced by these viruses. We conclude that it may be worthwhile to utilize roller cultures for isolation of animal viruses, especially for the recovery of low-titered virus, as is often the case with clinical specimens.