DETECTION AND ENUMERATION OF ENTERIC VIRUSES IN CELL-CULTURE

The use of cell cultures remains the most reliable and functional tool for the detection of viable human enteric viruses in environmental samples. There is, however, a definite need for uniformity in cell culture practices. Among the serious concerns repeatedly addressed for virus monitoring have been negative results arising, not from the absence of virus, but from the lack of sensitivity due to significant variations in detection methodology. Over the past 5 years, many cell culture procedures applied to environmental virology have been upgraded, refined, or replaced; thus, the continued use of insensitive methodology may hinder reliable virus monitoring programs. This report provides a singular updated resource, encompassing those changes which have been shown to make a difference in the sensitivity of the cell culture virus detection system.