STUDIES ON THE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE VIRUS OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Cataphoresis experiments show that, under ordinary conditions, the virus of foot-and-mouth disease carries an electropositive charge. Its isoelectric range is at the high point of pH [plus or minus] 8. Although cultivable bacteria are, as a rule, electronegative, certain protozoa, such as trypanosomes and spirochetes are electropositive. In respect to charge, then, the virus differs from ordinary bacteria, but there is nothing here to indicate an inanimate character. A knowledge of the charge, however, aids in interpretation of certain filtration phenomena, and indirectly in delimiting the size of the virus particles. It serves also to explain the resistance to certain chemicals. Finally, cataphoresis indicates the possible separation of the virus from protein particles. Filtration experiments made with different types and sizes of filters are described in detail. Results confirm the electropositive charge and minuteness in size of particles. Success was obtained with Bechhold''s ultra-filter membranes of the most permeable type; with these it was possible to measure relatively, by a system of "molecular" filtrations, the diam. of particles of the incitant, which was found to be, in relation to other particles of like charge, between 20 and 100[mu][mu].

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: