Inactivation of rabies virus in reagents used for the fluorescent rabies antibody test

Abstract

Procedures for inactivating rabies virus in reagents used for the fluorescent rabies antibody test are described. Mouse brain adsorbing suspensions containing ≥109 50% lethal doses of virus per ml were rendered noninfectious by treatment with 0.1% β-propiolactone or by heating at 56°C for ≥ 30 min. Viable virus in tissue impression smears was inactivated by acetone fixation at 50° C for ≥30 min or by immersion in 0.1% β-propiolactone at 37°C for 2 h. Inactivated reagents gave specific and sensitive reactions in the fluorescent rabies antibody test.