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The gamma radiation inactivation kinetics for Coxiella burnetii at − 79°C were exponential. The radiation dose needed to reduce the number of infective C. burnetii by 90% varied from 0·64 to 1·2 kGy depending on the phase of the micro-organism, purity of the culture and composition of suspending menstruum. The viability of preparations containing 1011C. burnetii ml−1was completely abolished by 10 kGy without diminishing antigenicity or ability to elicit a protective immune response in vaccinated mice. Immunocytochemical examinations using monoclonal antibodies and electron microscopy demonstrated that radiation doses of 20 kGy did not alter cell-wall morphology or cell-surface antigenic epitopes.
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