Developed by Barron et al. (Archiv Gesamte, Virusforsch 32: 389, 1970), the BGMK ("Buffalo Green") monkey kidney cell line was originally propagated in Medium 199 to which calf serum had been added. The usefulness of this cell line in isolating enteric viruses and Chlamydia has been demonstrated by Dahling et al. (Health Lab. Sci. 11: 275, 1974 and Environmental International. 10: 309, 1984), Menegus and Hollick (J. Clin. Microbiol. 15: 945, 1982), and Wills et al. (J. Clin. Pathol. 37: 120, 1984). The cells have an enhanced sensitivity for coxsackie B viruses noted by Menegus et al.

Culture Medium
Minimum essential medium (Eagle), with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum.

Growth Characteristics
Cells seeded at a concentration of 2x10⁴ cells/cm² in the above culture medium will be 100% confluent in 5 days.

Morphology
Epithelial-like.

Species
African green monkey.

Common Utilization
Isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis and Enterovirus, with an enhanced sensitivity for Coxsackie B viruses.