Effect of Beta-Propiolactone on Complement-Fixing Antigens of St. Louis Encephalitis Virus.

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Abstract
A method is described for preparing a complement-fixing antigen of St. Louis encephalitis virus which is non-infective for mice. The antigen is treated in an early stage in its preparation with beta-propiolactone (BPL), a potent virucidal agent. The liquid antigen is relatively stable on storage at 4[degree]C and may be lyophilized without significant loss of reactivity. The BPL-treated antigen exhibits the same degree of cross-reaction with other members of the encephalitis group as untreated preparations and previously described antigens. Tests with paired patients'' sera have indicated its usefulness as a diagnostic aid. The use of BPL as a virucidal agent in the preparation of non-infectious inactivated viral antigens should constitute a distinct advantage over previously described technics.