Thermal-Resistant Populations of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus

Abstract

Summary

A small thermal-resistant fraction (10⁻³ to 10⁻⁵ at 55°C) of foot-and-mouth disease virus, type A, has been isolated from a wild population. Under continuing thermal selection, it breeds populations which contain much higher fractions, at least 10⁻¹, of thermal-resistant virus particles. Such populations revert partially, however, toward the sensitivity of the wild strain if not subjected to heat.