ISOLATION OF INFLUENZA-A AND INFLUENZA-B VIRUSES IN HELA-CELLS

The HeLa cell line which is one of the most popular cell lines was sho wn to be suitable for isolation of types A (H3N2 and B influenza virus es from throat washings of patients. Sixty-nine and 67 out of 147 thro at washings taken from patients during the period from January to Apri l, 1994, were positive for influenza A virus in HeLa cells and MDCK ce lls, respectively. Seven out of 10 throat washings taken between Janua ry and March, 1993, were positive for influenza B virus in MDCK. Of th ese 7, 4 were also positive for HeLa cells.