SUBGROUP-F ADENOVIRUS GROWTH IN FETAL INTESTINAL ORGAN-CULTURES

An in vitro foetal intestinal organ culture system was employed to det ermine the permissiveness of human intestinal cells for subgroup F ade novirus infection. Ad40 and Ad41 growth, monitored through group-speci fic hexon antigen production, was poor in comparison to that of Ad 2 i n these cultures, further demonstrating their fastidious nature in mos t human cells. The low growth capability of these viruses in culture, in relation to their association with gastrointestinal disease is disc ussed.