Thermostability of Distemper Virus and Its Neutralization by Antibody

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Abstract
The thermostability of distemper virus in a phosphate-glycerine buffer of pH 7.4 was studied at various temperatures. Thermal inactivation curves suggested first order kinetics except at 25° C where the curves exhibited initial shoulders. The estimated half-life for distemper virus at 5, 25, 37 and 56° C were 3–4 days, 10 hours, 1 hour and % minute respectively. A single straight line relationship could not be demonstrated in the Arrhenius plot. Approximate equilibrium for the reaction between distemper virus and small amounts of neutralizing antibody was established at 5°C in 2 to 3 days and at 25° C in 16–20 hours. It was concluded that 16 hours at 25° C provided an adequate and convenient incubation for the virus antibody reaction in a sensitive test for distemper virus neutralizing antibody.