Cytopathogenicity of buffalopox and camelpox virus in buffalo fibroblast cells

Abstract

The primary cultures of fibroblast cells were established from the ear marginal tissue of a young calf of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Subsequent passages of primary fibroblast cells were carried out upon 80-90% confluency. The cells were found to be chromosomally stable and free of Mycoplasma contamination. Housekeeping genes namely- GAPDH and ß-Actin were amplified from fibroblast cells. To check the utility of developed fibroblast cells in adaptation of virus, cell monolayers were infected with buffalopox virus (BPXV) and camelpox virus (CMLV) isolates, which showed typical virus-specific CPE. The infection was confirmed by PCR amplification of BPXV and CMLV-specific region of C18L gene. The cell line thus developed could be of immense potential in propagation of viruses adopting skin route of infection and their immuno-modulatory associations.