The use of RD cells in the isolation of Echo type 30 virus from patients with aseptic meningitis.

Between early July and August 1976, 60 cases of aseptic meningitis and pharyngitis in children from various parts of West Germany were reported to this institute. Successful virus isolation from spinal fluid in 12 out of 36 cases was greatly facilitated by the use of RD cell tissue cultures, whereas isolation attempts in HEL, Vero, and HFDK cells were unsuccessful. In all cases, the isolated virus was identified as ECHO type 30. Neutralization studies with sera of 48 remaining cases also using RD cells clearly indicated that the epidemic outbreak was caused by ECHO type 30 virus.