CONCENTRATION AND PURIFICATION OF TICK-BORNE ENCEPHALITIS-VIRUS GROWN IN SUSPENSIONS OF CHICK-EMBRYO CELLS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 21  (4) , 301-307
Abstract
Tick borne encephalitis (TBE) virus grown in suspensions of chick embryo cells was precipitated by various concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000. Quantitative recovery was obtained at PEG concentrations of 5% and higher. As precipitation of contaminating non-viral protein increases with increasing PEG concentrations, best results with respect to purity and recovery were obtained at 5% PEG 6000. Analysis of virus concentrates by rate zonal centrifugation revealed 2 peaks, rapidly sedimenting hemagglutinin (RHA) associated with infectivity and slowly sedimenting hemagglutinin (SHA), characteristic of flaviviruses. Purification factors after PEG precipitation followed by rate zonal centrifugation in sucrose density gradients ranged from 50-200 for HA activity and from 40-50 for infectivity.