Growth of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus in human diploid cell strain WI-38.

We demonstrated that Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus replicated in and adapted rapidly to human diploid cell strain WI-38. Peak titers of approximately 10(9.8) mouse intracerebral 50% lethal doses were obtained at low passage levels in Eagles basal medium supplemented with calf serum. VEE virus replicated poorly in serum-free medium. Propagation of VEE virus was accompanied by the production of hemagglutinin and cytopathogenic effects.