Poliovirus Particles do not Form in Preinfected Cells with Reovirus

Background and Aims: Inhibition of viral growth in coinfected cells with two different viruses has been described. This phenomenon known as viral interference can occur in several virus host systems such as interference of enterovirus infection on poliovirus vaccine strains. In this study we superinfected reovirus infected HeLa cells with poliovirus to determine if poliovirus can replicate in such cells and form mature virus particles. Methods: Cells were infected first with reovirus then were reinfected with poliovirus. The amounts of viral particles were measured by electron microscopy and plaque assay titration. The amount of viral yield was also measured using the technique of real time RT-PCR for measuring the viral load in infected cells. Results: In cells infected first with reovirus and then superinfected with polio virus, only reovirus particles were produced. Virus production was determined by assaying viral titer using the plaque assay technique and electron microscopy. There was no poliovirus particles observable in the superinfected cells. The amount of poliovirus load in reovirus infected cells was also drastically reduced. Conclusion: The growth of poliovirus was inhibited in reovirus infected cells and no infectious poliovirus particles could be observed. This observation could be important to consider in poliovirus vaccination program.