Abstract
Summary
1. Western equine encephalomyelitis and Eastern equine encephalomyelitis CF antigens were prepared by grinding the brains of infected suckling mice in a borate stock buffer (BSB), allowing the 20% suspension to stand for 24 hours at 4°C, centrifuging, and harvesting the supernate. The “BSB Antigens” prepared in this manner were shown to be of greater potency and sensitivity than commercial products. Inactivation of viral antigens with ethylene oxide gas affected neither the potency nor the sensitivity of the antigen when compared to untreated BSB virus suspension. Ethylene oxide treated BSB mouse brain EEE and WEE CF antigen-antiserum systems did not cross react. 2. Reduction of the incubation time for primary reagents in CF tests from 18 hours at 4°C to 2 hours at 4°C gave little if any change in antiserum or BSB antigen titer. Elimination of the incubation period altogether vitiated the activities of commercial antigens or normal mouse brain, but did not appreciably affect that of the BSB antigen.
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