3.2. PDCoV replicated in PK-15 while Vero cells did not allow
PDCoV propagation
Following PDCoV detection, our objective was to isolate and propagate
the Peruvian strain in vitro using PK-15 and Vero cell lines.
Despite the high viral load detected by PCR, we did not see evidence of
cytopathic effect during the first 5 days following inoculation in any
of the cell line tested. Thus, we performed a second blind passage to
evidence viral replication. Interestingly, 48 h post inoculation,
cytopathic effect was observed in PK-15 cell line, but morphological
changes in Vero cell line were absent. These findings were also
confirmed by qRT-PCR. Within the major cellular changes observed are:
pyknosis, cell rounding, monolayer disruption, cell detachment, which
correspond to typical coronavirus cytopathic effect previously described
(see Figure 1B). Following isolation, one sample was selected and
prepared for genome sequencing.