Abstract: A recombinant cell stably transformed with a cDNA of a silent, inducible replicon encoding a recombinant protein is disclosed. Transcription of the replicon cDNA is under the control of a silent promoter inducible by a DNA virus and expression of the recombinant protein is dependent upon the presence of the DNA virus in the cell. The cell can be engineered to package the replicon upon infection by the DNA virus, leading to intercellular amplification of expression of the recombinant protein. Where the recombinant protein is a reporter gene product, the recombinant cell may be used in an assay for detecting DNA viruses. A kit for performing such an assay is also provided.