Jack H. Schieble

An Immunofluorescent Staining Method for Rapid Identification of Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

Summary An immunofluorescence method for rapid identification of RS virus is described; results of the identification tests were available in approximately 24 hours. With respect to sensitivity, it appears that as few as 10 infectious virus particles per ml of inoculum are readily detectable within a similar period. Seventy-one of 75 viral isolates examined by the immunofluorescence method were identified as RS virus. The remaining viruses were subsequently identified as 1 mumps virus, 1 simian virus, and 2 adenoviruses. Although serum-neutralization tests indicate the existence of antigenic differences between strains of RS virus(3), no differences in antigenic composition between strains were noted in this study by immunofluorescent staining. A possible reason for this is discussed.

Antigenic Variation of Rhinovirus Type 22

Summary Seventeen of eighteen type 22 rhinoviruses isolated in this laboratory were shown to be antigenic variants of the prototype strain (127-CV22). The variant viruses were neutralized poorly or not at all by immune serum to the prototype strain. However, immune serum prepared to one of the variant viruses (Chase) neutralized both the prototype and homologous strains to similar titer and also neutralized all of the other isolates. The neutralizing reactivity of the Chase virus immune serum for the prototype and homologous strains was found to be essentially unaltered by multiple absorptions with human liver powder, a procedure capable of removing cytoxic factors or nonspecific inhibitors found in certain rhinovirus antisera. The Chase virus thus appears to represent a “prime strain” of rhinovirus type 22. The authors acknowledge the excellent technical assistance of Mrs. Dana Gallo and Mrs. Florence Lester.

Rhinoviruses The Isolation and Characterization of Three New Serologic Types

Summary Three new rhinovirus immuno-types (FO2-2317, FO2-2513 and FO2-2547) were recovered from military recruits at Fort Ord, California. These new viruses were shown to be small RNA viruses which are inactivated at low pH and do not contain lipids as an essential structural component. Thus, they can be classified as human rhinoviruses. Reciprocal neutralization tests show them to be serologically distinct from the presently recognized 55 prototype rhinoviruses and on the basis of one-way neutralization tests they also appear to be distinct from certain other previously described candidate rhinoviruses.SummaryThree new rhinovirus immuno-types (FO2-2317, FO2-2513 and FO2-2547) were recovered from military recruits at Fort Ord, California. These new viruses were shown to be small RNA viruses which are inactivated at low pH and do not contain lipids as an essential structural component. Thus, they can be classified as human rhinoviruses. Reciprocal neutralization tests show them to be serologically distinct from the presently recognized 55 prototype rhinoviruses and on the basis of one-way neutralization tests they also appear to be distinct from certain other previously described candidate rhinoviruses.

Isolation of influenza viruses types A and B in ferret kidney cell culture.

Summary The isolation of influenza A and B viruses in primary ferret kidney cell cultures is described. A cytopathic effect is produced by these viruses in this cell culture system. The skunk kidney cell culture system is equally satisfactory for isolation of these viruses. Influenza A and B viruses were found to multiply in bat cell culture systems without a cytopathic effect.