Large-scale production and concentration of infectious Epstein-Barr virus

Abstract

Infectious Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was produced from suspension cultures of P3HR-1 cells. A protocol for the scaled-up production and concentration of the virus was developed. Virus from the culture fluid was concentrated by continuous-flow pelletization or continuous flow with banding in sucrose. EBV prepared by pelletization yielded 1.7 x 104 infectious units/ml (100X concentration) and <3.4 X 107 EVB particles/ml (1,000X concentration), whereas EBV prepared by banding yielded 4.6 X 103 infectious units/ml (100X concentration) and 1.3 X 108 EBV particles/ml (1,000X concentration). The majority of the virus particles observed were 'empty' membrane-associated particles. A statistical test of the correlation between infectivity and virus particle count was made.