Adaptation and characteristics of replication of a strain of avian reovirus in vero cells

One of six Australian strains of avian reovirus was adapted to replicate in an African green monkey kidney (Vero) cell line. The cytopathic effect of the adapted strain in Vero cells was characterised by syncytium formation occurring 12 hours post-infection, coincident with the production of progeny virus. The virus in Vero cells was very cell-associated and longer incubation times were required for titration than in primary cultures of chicken kidney cells. Methods for determination of the 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) in a microtitre system, and for plaque production are described.