THE simultaneous isolation and characterization of rubella virus by two independent groups of investigators, Weller and Neva1 and Parkman et al,2 immediately suggested the possibility of the development of an effective vaccine. Subsequently, several virus strains, or isolates with varied passage histories, became available for development as potential vaccine candidates.
The development of a live, attenuated rubella virus vaccine by Parkman et al,3 and demonstration of its clinical effectiveness by Meyer et al,4 motivated us to adapt Strain HPV-77 to canine renal cell cultures. The use of this cell substrate for the production of rubeola vaccines has been previously reported.5 Several years' experience has shown that cell cultures derived from animals maintained in strict isolation and quarantine are free of demonstrable adventitious agents and suitable for vaccine production.
This report describes the adaptation of several rubella virus strains to canine renal cell cultures, the production