Efficient Medium for Impingement and Storage of Enveloped Viruses

Abstract

Airborne infections with pathogenic viruses play an important role in the transmission of diseases amongst men and animals. We compared several media intended for impingement of viruses from virus-contaminated air and for their preserving effect for two enveloped viruses. Sindbis (SINV) and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), members of the families Toga- and Rhabdoviridae, respectively, were chosen as indicator agents. Amongst the media tested, a sampling fluid consisting of phosphate buffered saline, pH 7.2, 0.5% bovine serum albumin, 0.5% gelatine (PBSplus) was most efficient to minimize the sampling stress during impingement and to preserve the infectivity SINV and VSV under stringent conditions at 37 degrees C. About 50% of virus infectivity was recovered 15.7 or 30 hours, respectively, after the beginning of storage. Thus the recommended medium is also suitable for shipment and storage of diagnostic virus samples.