Diagnostic test for virus desease and method for the cryopreservation of cells used in these tests

Diagnostic test for viral disease and process for freezing cells which can be used for this test. The present invention relates to a diagnostic test for viral disease comprising the use of cells making it possible to amplify the virus to be identified from samples and thus making its detection possible, characterised in that use is made of frozen cells which are thawed in order to perform the test. The present invention also relates to a process for freezing cells in a support container consisting especially of multiwell plates or tubes permitting the preservation of cells and their use after thawing in a diagnostic test according to the invention, characterised in that 1) a cryopreservative is employed, chosen so that the number of viable and functional cells after thawing is optimised and especially higher than 80% and, 2) the number of cells to be frozen which are introduced into the support container is chosen so that 24 hours after thawing the cultured cells form a complete cellular monolayer.