Isolation and propagation of hepatitis A virus in hepatoma cell cultures

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) was isolated directly from human faeces in PLC/PRF/5 cells. In the first passage cell-bound and supernatant viruses were found by immune electron microscopy and by enzymeimmunoassay. Serial passaging of HAV in PLC/PRF/5 cells resulted in its adaptation to the cell line and in reduction of the incubation time. HAV was still detectable after 10 cell passages. Cell-bound as well as supernatant HAV were employed as antigens in anti HAV IgM-enzymeimmunoassay.