Microcultures of Brown Bullhead (Ictalurus nebulosus) Cells: Their Use in Quantitation of Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Virus and Antibody

Abstract

A microculture system was applied to the culture of brown bullhead (Ictalurus nebulosus) cells and used for the titration of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) virus and corresponding antibody. As few as 1.7 × 104 cells/well could be used for routine titrations. Simultaneous inoculation of virus with cells at the time of planting resulted in clearer endpoints as opposed to inoculation of preformed monolayers. When channel catfish virus antibodies were measured using plaque reduction and microculture titration assays as indicator systems, no significant differences in antibody titers were noted.