Mixed cell diagnostic systems for detection of respiratory, herpes and enteric viruses

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to the field of diagnostic microbiology, and, more particularly, to compositions and methods for detecting and differentiating one or more viruses or other intracellular parasites present in a specimen. The present invention also provides compositions and methods to evaluate the susceptibility of organisms to antimicrobial agents.

1 . A composition comprising a mixed cell culture comprising Calu-3 cells and a second cell type.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the second cell type are A549 cells.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the second cell type is selected from the group consisting of RD cells, H292 cells, and BGMK cells.  
     
     
         4 . A method for detecting a virus, comprising: 
 a) providing a mixed cell culture comprising Calu-3 cells and A549 cells, and a sample suspected of containing a virus;    b) inoculating said mixed cell culture with said sample to produce an inoculated culture; and    c) detecting the presence of said virus in said inoculated culture.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said virus is a respiratory virus.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said respiratory virus is selected from the group consisting of influenza A virus, influenza B virus, parainfluenza virus 2, parainfluenza virus 3, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said virus is a herpesvirus.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said herpesvirus is selected from the group consisting of herpes simplex type 1, herpes simplex type 2, cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, human herpes virus 6, and human herpes virus 7.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said herpesvirus is herpes simplex virus 1 or herpes simplex virus 2.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said virus is an enteric virus.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said enteric virus is selected from the group consisting of Coxsackie virus, enterovirus, and echovirus.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising, providing a monoclonal antibody reactive with a virus selected from the group consisting of a respiratory virus, a herpes virus, and and enteric virus, and wherein step c comprises using said monoclonal antibody for detecting said virus.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said monoclonal antibody comprises a fluorescent label.  
     
     
         14 . A method for producing a virus, comprising: 
 a) providing a mixed cell culture comprising Calu-3 cells and A549 cells, and a sample suspected of containing a virus;    b) inoculating said mixed cell culture with said sample to produce an inoculated culture; and    c) incubating said inoculated culture under conditions suitable for producing said virus.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said virus is a respiratory virus.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said respiratory virus is selected from the group consisting of influenza A virus, influenza B virus, parainfluenza virus 2, parainfluenza virus 3, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said virus is a herpesvirus.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said herpesvirus is selected from the group consisting of herpes simplex type 1, herpes simplex type 2, cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, human herpes virus 6, and human herpes virus 7.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said herpesvirus is herpes simplex virus 1 or herpes simplex virus 2.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said virus is an enteric virus.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said enteric virus is selected from the group consisting of Coxsackie virus, enterovirus, and echovirus.  
     
     
         17 . A kit for the detection of a virus in a sample, comprising: 
 a) a mixed cell culture comprising Calu-3 cells and A549 cells; and    b) a monoclonal antibody reactive with a virus.    
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein said virus is a respiratory virus.  
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein said respiratory virus is selected from the group consisting of influenza A virus, influenza B virus, parainfluenza virus 2, parainfluenza virus 3, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus.  
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein said virus is a herpesvirus.  
     
     
         22 . The kit of  claim 21 , wherein said herpesvirus is selected from the group consisting of herpes simplex type 1, herpes simplex type 2, cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, human herpes virus 6, and human herpes virus 7.  
     
     
         23 . The kit of  claim 21 , wherein said herpesvirus is herpes simplex virus 1 or herpes simplex virus 2.  
     
     
         24 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein said virus is an enteric virus.  
     
     
         25 . The kit of  claim 24 , wherein said enteric virus is selected from the group consisting of Coxsackie virus, enterovirus, and echovirus.