Full text loading...
Abstract
The neutralization of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus followed first-order kinetics, with the reaction rate dependent on the antibody concentration and the reaction temperature but independent of pH and virus concentration within the prescribed limits. The linear relationship obtained between the neutralization reaction rate constant (k) and antiserum dilution showed that k increased fivefold for each tenfold dilution of antiserum. The energy of activation, calculated from an Arrhenius plot of the data, was approximately 9000 cal./mole of virus. Each 10° change in temperature (Q 10) altered the k value by a factor of 1.7. In the presence of excess antibody, a small fraction of virus resisted neutralization. Neutralized virus could not be appreciably reactivated by simple dilution under physiological conditions but was dissociated at either acid or alkaline pH values. Re-neutralization of virus occurred when the environmental medium was adjusted to neutrality, indicating that reactivation was the result of dissociation and not denaturation. Neutralized virus could be attached to cell monolayers and reactivated to an infectious state by treatment at acid pH.
- Received:
- Accepted:
- Published Online: