Use of guinea pig embryo cell cultures for isolation and propagation of group A coxsackieviruses

The isolation of group A coxsackieviruses from clinical specimens generally requires the use of suckling mice. By using guinea pig embryo cells, the following coxsackieviruses were isolated from throat swabs and stool samples obtained from patients with a variety of illnesses: two of type A2, one each of types A6 and A8, and four of type 10. Distinct cytopathic effects were produced in 3 to 5 days in the guinea pig embryo cells inoculated with the clinical specimens. In addition, a number of prototype group A coxsackieviruses, including types 2--6, 8, 10, and 12, were readily propagated in guinea pig embryo cell cultures. Thus, guinea pig embryo cells appeared to be a sensitive alternative cell culture system for the isolation and propagation of certain types of group A coxsackieviruses.