Comparison of the Resistance of Streptococci and of Poliomyelitic Virus in Glycerol.

Abstract

The virus of poliomyelitis, present in monkey brain tissue has been shown to be virulent after being kept 8 years in 50% glycerol at 4° C. 1 Micrococci have been obtained in culture from the “glycerolated nervous system of cases of poliomyelitis after a period of 15 months.” 2

Streptococci and other microorganisms were isolated from the brains of monkeys recently infected with the virus of poliomyelitis and from those of normal monkeys. 3

Rabbits were inoculated intracerebrally with certain of the streptococci. 3 The brains of these rabbits were removed under aseptic precautions and were stored at 4° C. in 50% glycerol. At frequent intervals cultures were made by placing a small fragment of washed glycerolated brain material in dextrose broth. Seven brain specimens were thus tested. One brain inoculated with streptococci yielded a pure culture of the organisms after 82 days, but not after 116 days; one after 116 but not after 146 days, and three after 117 but not after 204 days. In 2 of the brains tested streptococci were still viable after 303, but not after 333 days.

It is evident that while streptococci can survive in brain tissue in 50% glycerol for periods up to nearly a year, there is wide disparity between the resistance of the virus of poliomyelitis and the resistance of certain strains of streptococci in glycerol.