The stability of neurotropic African horsesickness virus in solutions of different chemical composition

Abstract

(1) The viability of neurotropic African horsesickness virus was tested in media containing various salts, different amino acids, gelatine, "Dextran", chick embryo extract, serum saline and egg white. Of these, egg white was the medium of choice for retention of virus in a viable state. (2) The virus of horsesickness showed distinct levels of stability in the various media. The highest level of stability was found in suspensions containing 10 per cent egg white, followed by 10 per cent serum saline and 5 per cent egg white solutions. At a lower level of stability were suspensions made up in animo acids, gelatine and embryo extract. A very low level of stability was shown by suspensions of the virus in salt solutions and in solutions of "Dextran".