EFFECT OF DICHLOROTETRAFLUOROETHANE ON THE INFECTIVITY OF VIRUSES AND RICKETTSIAE SENSITIVE TO TRICHLOROTRIFLUOROETHANE
Abstract
In contrast to the true viruses, agents of the psittacosis group and most of the rickettsiae are markedly inactivated by treatment with the trichlorotrifluoroethane (Freon-113). Tests indicate that these organisms that are sensitive to Freon 113 are not inactivated by comparable treatment with dichlorotetrafluoroethane (Freon-114). Infectivity titers of suspensions of 5 representative rickettsiae were reduced 1 to 4 logs by emulsification with Freon-113, whereas similar treatment with Freon-114 caused no significant titer change for 4 of the rickettsiae and a one log decrease for the most sensitive one. Titers of suspensions of psittacosis virus and murine pneumonitis virus, which were reduced 1 to 2 logs by extraction with Freon-113, were not affected by treatment with Freon-114. A possible explanation of these differences is that Freon-113 is a much better lipid solvent than Freon-114. Difference in solvent power and/or density of these fluorocarbons is reflected in their relative effectiveness in clarifying yolk-sac suspensions of the organisms tested: Freon-114 removed 50% of the protein and 15% of the lipid in a single extraction compared pared with 50% of the protein and 78% of the lipid by Freon-113. To remove larger percentages of protein and lipid, multiple extractions with Freon 114 are feasible. The infectivity of psittacosis virus in a yolk-embryo suspension was not reduced by three successive extractions with Freon-114.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0402962
Entities
People
- Joann F. Comer
- Ralph F. Wachter
Organizations
- United States Army Biological Warfare Laboratories