Development of sensitive methods for detection of latent Kilham virus infection of rats.

The developed system of procedures, including preliminary selection of rats according to the presence of 19 S antibody in the blood serum, and the use of the most sensitive methods has increased considerably the incidence of detection of Kilham virus (KV) in organs of latently infected rats. To isolate and establish KV strains from the organs of rats in which the specific antigen was detected by immunofluorescence, at least 5-9 passages in rat embryo cell cultures or in newborn Syrian hamsters were required.