Monkey kidneys are obtained from healthy animals with documented clinical and reproductive histories. Following the enzymatic digestion of the kidney tissue, cells are planted and grown in minimum essential medium (Eagle), with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum. The resulting cultures of epithelial-like cells are susceptible to and used as a standard cell substrate for isolation of a broad range of viruses. To decrease the likelihood of contamination with endogenous simian viruses, monkey kidney cell cultures are most often grown in medium containing antiserum to SV₅ and SV₄₀ viruses.

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

Growth Characteristics
Cells seeded at a concentration of 1x10⁵ cells/cm² in the above culture medium will be 100% confluent in 7-10 days.

Morphology
Epithelial-like.

African Green Monkey Kidney
(Cercopithecus aethiops)

Common Utilization
Supports the growth of a broad range of viruses, including Coxsackie A; Coxsackie B; Echovirus; Influenza A, B; Measles; Mumps; Parainfluenza; Poliovirus; and Rubella.

Cynomolgus Monkey Kidney
(Macaca fasicularis)

Common Utilization
Supports the growth of a broad range of viruses, including Coxsackie A; Coxsackie B; Echovirus; Influenza A, B; Measles; Mumps; Parainfluenza; and Poliovirus.

Rhesus Monkey Kidney
(Macaca mulatta)

Common Utilization
Supports the growth of a broad range of viruses, including Coxsackie A; Coxsackie B; Echovirus; Influenza A, B; Measles; Mumps; Parainfluenza; and Poliovirus.