Abstract
Suspensions of influenza virus were dried by sublimation of ice in vacuo to contents of residual moisture of 2.8, 1.6, or 0.6%. After drying, the preparations were sealed under helium, argon, nitrogen, or a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen (30% O2, 70% N2). Stabilities of the several preparations were determined by an accelerated storage test. Based on the times predicted for the dried preparations stored at preselected temperatures to lose 1 log of infectivity titer, the order of stabilities in relation to residual moisture, gas was as follows: 1.6%, He > 0.6%, He > 2.8%, He > 1.6%, Ar > 2.8%, N2 > 2.8%, Ar > 1.6%, N2 > 2.8%, O2 > 0.6%, Ar > 0.6%, N2 > 1.6%, O2 > 0.6%, O2. The stability of the preparation sealed under helium and dried to the content of residual moisture found best for this gas (1.6%) resulted in an increased stability of the order of years as compared to the other preparations tested.

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