Corning HYPERFlask® for viral amplification and production of diagnostic reagents

Viral preparations are essential components in diagnostic research and development. The production of large quantities of virus traditionally is done by infecting numerous tissue culture flasks or roller bottles, which require large incubators and/or roller bottle racks. The Corning HYPERFIask (R) is a multilayer flask that uses a gas permeable film to provide gas exchange between the cells and culture medium and the atmospheric environment. This study evaluated the suitability of the HYPERFIask for production of Lassa, Ebola, Bundibugyo, Reston, and Marburg viruses and compared it to more traditional methods using tissue culture flasks and roller bottles. The HYPERFIask produced cultures were equivalent in virus titer and indistinguishable in immunodiagnostic assays. The use of the Corning HYPERFIask for viral production is a viable alternative to traditional tissue culture flasks and roller bottles. HYPERFIasks allow for large volumes of virus to be produced in a small space without specialized equipment. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.