Latent measles virus infection in Vero cells depending on a temperature-sensitive phenomenon.

A latent infection by measles virus in a line of Vero cells could be maintained only at 37 degrees C. The conditions of temperature nonpermissiveness were associated with some block in virus production and/or release and with the establishment of an autointerference phenomenon. Reduction of the incubation temperature to 33.5 degrees C induced a rather rapid transition from the latent to a lytical infection with a recue of virus. The rescued virus exhibited a restricted capacity to grow at 37 degrees C.