Growth of the Eaton Agent of Primary Atypical Pneumonia in Chick Entodermal Tissue Culture.

Summary The Eaton agent of primary atypical pneumonia was carried through 2 series of 10 and 6 passages respectively, in chick entodermal cell cultures, indicating growth of the agent in this cell system. Cytopathic effects were not seen and fluorescent antibody staining of the infected cells by the indirect method was negative. The agent was demonstrated in fluids from the infected cultures by subinoculation to chick embryos and fluorescent antibody staining of lung sections. The authors gratefully acknowledge the technical assistance of George W. Gary, Jr., and Luther B. Townley.