Selection of Highly Susceptible Cell Lines to Foot and Mouth Disease Virus Infection

Different non-established cultures were examined to find those that showed high sensitivity to Foot and Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV). Ovine kidney cultures showed high sensitivity to types A, O and C, and were suitable to detect viral infection in samples of animal, as well as cell culture origin. The level of detection in this system was up to ten times higher than in BHK21 cells, which were commonly used for FMDV isolation and production. Viral production levels in ovine kidney cultures ranged from similar to twice as high as in BHK21. Ovine kidney cultures maintained these characteristics for at least 18 passages, allowing their use as an alternative system for FMDV diagnoses.