[RC-IAL: rabbit kidney continuous cell line--characteristics and substrate for viral replication]

A rabbit kidney cell line RC-IAL, isolated in 1976 and at present at 150a passage, has had its characteristics analysed. The cells presented morphology similar to fibroblasts throughout their culture. The cellular growth proportion remained unaltered from its isolation, with a cloning efficiency of around 9%. The line showed growth dependent on anchorage and chromosomic analysis presented the modal number of the species with small variations to about one chromosome, to a total of about 50%. The line's species of origin was confirmed through indirect immunofluorescence reaction and susceptibility to some viruses with cytopathic effect was verified with vaccinia, cowpox, herpes simplex types 1 and 2 and rubella viruses. This cellular substract is free from contaminating agents, thus satisfying the conditions for its use in scientific work, especially that relating to public health.