Real-time replication of swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV) in cell culture systems in vitro

A swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV) replication assay in IB-RS-2, SK-6, and PK-15 cell cultures was performed using the xCELLigence system. The cell status was monitored by impedance measurement, expressed as cell index (CI). Proliferation of particular cells was examined at the beginning of the study. The cells exhibited the ability to form a monolayer, and the CI values increased with the cell culture growth. After about 23 h and while still in the growth phase, the cells were infected with decimal virus dilutions (10⁻¹-10⁻⁶) containing from 100 000 to 1 median tissue culture infectious doses (TCID₅₀). SVDV replication in cell cultures induced a change in cell index; together with the occurrence of cytopathic effect (CPE), the CI values declined. A significant correlation between the concentration of the virus used and CPE occurrence was found. The results also enabled determination of cell sensitivity to SVDV infection. The highest sensitivity was exhibited by IB-RS-2, followed by SK-6. To conclude, the xCELLigence System was used effectively and evaluated as being an efficient tool for CPE detection and SVDV replication analysis in cell cultures. Compared to the standard method, it enabled a more precise assessment of viral replication based on the quantitative CI measurement, providing additional current information.