Studies on vaccinia virus. II. Neutralization of vaccinia virus by normal guinea pig serum.

Abstract

Summary A labile principle capable of neutralizing the egg infectivity of vaccinia virus is present in normal guinea pig serum. This “non-specific” inhibitor is inactive against vaccinia hemagglutinin. It can be stored at −60 C with no loss of activity, but rapidly deteriorates when stored for a few hours at 4 C. It is inactivated by heating to 56 C for 30 minutes. Removal of the hemolytic activity of complement from the GP serum does not appreciably reduce the activity of the viral inhibitor. A similar component capable of neutralizing vaccinia virus is not present in detectable amounts in the serum of mice. The pattern of infection following intranasal inoculation of vaccinia virus in the GP differs appreciably from that in the mouse.