PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF THIOUREA ON ULTRAVIOLET-IRRADIATED EEE VIRUS
Abstract
Inactivation of suspensions of partially purified eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus by ultraviolet light was markedly retarded by the addition of thiourea. In the presence of 0.5M thiourea, infectivity was reduced only 0.5 log in 10 minutes by the same UV radiation that produced a 7-log decrease in titer in 2 minutes in control samples. Although thiourea absorbs strongly in the ultraviolet region, the protection is not related entirely to the light absorbing character of the molecule. The effect appears to be specific for compounds containing the double-bonded carbon-sulfur group. Phenylthiourea and sodium diethyldithiocarbamate were more effective than thiourea when compared at concentrations of 0.005 M. Sulfhydryl and disulfide compounds, such as cysteine, cysteamine, and cystamine, were completely ineffective. The mechanism of stabilization may involve an interaction of thiourea and viral nucleic acid. In contrast to thiourea, urea and guanidine increased the rate of inactivation of EEE virus by UV.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0456167
Entities
People
- Joann F. Comer
- Ralph F. Wachter
Organizations
- United States Army Biological Warfare Laboratories