Further characterization of suckling mouse cataract agent (SMCA): a slow, persistent infection of the nervous system.

Abstract

SummaryExperiments were designed to further characterize the nature of suckling mouse cataract agent (SMCA). The agent is sensitive to heat, trypsin and ultraviolet inactivation, but is stable over the pH range 5.8 to 10. Penicillin, kanamycin, streptomycin and rifampin have no effect on the replication of the agent while BUdR, actinomycin D and hydroxyurea are inhibitory. By filtration the size of the infectious particle was determined to be between 200 and 500 nm. Ultra-structural studies upon infected allantoic fluids reveal unique particles not present in fluids infected with a series of RNA and DNA viruses.The response of the agent to drugs indicates that it is not a bacterial agent and is probably viral. Filtration experiments and ultrastructural studies favor a viral nature.The authors acknowledge the expert technical assistance of Eva Nagy as electron microscopy technician and James E. Pounds who grew and titered the agent.