Comparison of human rhabdomyosarcoma, HEp-2, and human foreskin fibroblast cells for the isolation of herpes simplex virus from clinical specimens

The performance of locally produced human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells was shown to be superior to human foreskin fibroblast (SF) and HEp-2 cells for the isolation of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) from clinical specimens. A comparison of sensitivity, clarity of cytophathic effect, and ease of growing the cells for the isolation of HSV was made on these cell lines. A total of 1351 fresh clinical specimens, submitted for the isolation of HSV, were inoculated into RD, HEp-2, and SF cell culture tubes. The cultures were incubated for 7 days at 35°C on a roller drum and observed daily for cytophathic effect (CPE). Of these specimens, 318 (23.5%) were positive for HSV. In 287 (90%) of these positive specimens, the RD cell line was the first, either alone or simultaneously with another cell line, to display typical HSV CPE. This CPE was clearly recognized by the appearance of clusters of rounded cells and associated multinucleated giant cells. In 241 (76%) of the positive specimens, the RD cell line displayed CPE on the first or second day of incubation. These results demonstrate that the RD cell line was more rapid than the SF and HEp-2 cell lines for the detection of HSV and suggests that RD cells should be included in a tissue culture program designed for the detection of HSV.