In Vitro Infection Dynamics of Wuxiang Virus in Different Cell Lines

Wuxiang virus (WUXV) is classified in the order Bunyavirales, family Phenuiviridae, genus Phlebovirus. WUXV was isolated in 2018 in China from sandfly. WUXV-infected mice have been reported to exhibit severe neurological symptoms such as convulsions and limb rigidity. In some areas of China, healthy people and poultry retain WUXV-neutralizing antibodies, which may allow WUXV to infect people and poultry. The authors infected eight cell lines with WUXV and evaluated the virus growth characteristics in vitro. Significant CPE was observed in BHK-21, MDCK and PK-15 cells. Increases in viral titer, viral nucleic acid levels, and N antigen expression were also detected in seven infected cells. In contrast, Vero cells did not show CPE and other tests were negative. These results may provide a basis for further study of the mechanisms of WUXV transmission.
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