FACTORS ENHANCING BOMBYX-MORI NUCLEAR POLYHEDROSIS-VIRUS INFECTION INVITRO

Infection of the silkworm cell line, Bm-N, with the Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) was enhanced by adding lecithin (phosphatidyl choline) to culture media. The enhancement index increased by 2.5 times when added 100-mu-g/ml. Cationic detergents, i.e., cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and dodecylamine hydrochloride, were effective in enhancing BmNPV infection in vitro, their optimal concentrations ranged from 10(-2) to 10(-1) mu-g/ml. Both nonionic (Triton X-100) and anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate) detergents were suppressive to BmNPV infection in Bm-N cells.