THE USE OF GAMMA RADIATION FOR THE PREPARATION OF VIRUS VACCINES

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Abstract
A protective agent such as histidine or sodium p-aminohippurate was added to purified suspensions of influenza and mumps viruses. It was then possible to inactivate them in about an hour with gamma radiation while retaining most of the hemagglutination titer. It was demonstrated in mice that a vaccine prepared from a mouse-adapted virus (Shope's swine influenza strain of influenza A) conferred protection against challenge by the live virus and produced an antibody response as measured by the hemagglutination–inhibition technique. Vaccines prepared with the viruses of influenza A(PR8), influenza B, and mumps were shown to produce antibody responses in guinea pigs as measured by the hemagglutination–inhibition and serum neutralization techniques. With gamma radiation it was possible to prepare influenza and mumps virus vaccines quickly and with precise control of the inactivation. This work is being continued with other viruses.