ADAPTATION AND GROWTH-PATTERN OF BLUETONGUE VIRUS SEROTYPE-1 IN AN INSECT CELL-LINE

Bluetongue virus serotype-1 (BTV 1) was adapted to grow in C-6/36, an insect (Aedes albopictus) cell-line. Extensive clumping of C-6/36 cell s was the prominent cytopathic effect (CPE) induced by the virus. The biological assay of the BTV-infected C-6/36 cells showed maximum titre of 4.5 log(10) TCID50/ml. Bluetongue virus antigens were also demonst rated in the infected C-6/36 cells by immunoperoxidase staining. Elect ron microscopy exhibited BTV-like particles and numerous tubular struc tures in the cytoplasm of the infected C-6/36 cells suggesting the act ive replication of BTV 1 in this cell-line. A comparative growth patte rn of BTV 1 in BHK 21, vero and C-6/36 showed highest titre of the vir us in BHK 21 followed by vero and C-6/36 cell lines.