Columbia SK Group Research Articles

Effect of temperature and relative humidity on survival of airborne Columbia SK group viruses.

Three strains of the Columbia SK (Col-SK) group of viruses [Mengo, Maus Elberfeld (ME), and Col-SK viruses] have been studied in the airborne state. All three strains were found to give identical aerosol decay patterns at 16 or 26 C, when held at the same relative humidity (RH). During the first 5 min of aerosol storage time at 16 C, virus inactivation was RH-dependent, with survival maximal at either high (greater than 80%) or low (less than 5%) RH. After 5 min at 16 C, further inactivation, regardless of RH, was insignificant. At 26 C, the effect on survival of RH between 40 and 60% was even more pronounced than at 16 C, and continued after 5 min through 6 hr. Results of this study indicated that the inactivation of airborne Col-SK group viruses was similar to that of other ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses, particularly poliovirus. Since members of the Col-SK group are picornaviruses, they may well serve as an aerosol model representative of small, ether-resistant, single-stranded RNA viruses.

Effect of Temperature and Relative Humidity on Survival of Airborne Columbia SK Group Viruses

Three strains of the Columbia SK (Col-SK) group of viruses [Mengo, Maus Elberfeld (ME), and Col-SK viruses] have been studied in the airborne state. All three strains were found to give identical aerosol decay patterns at 16 or 26 C, when held at the same relative humidity (RH). During the first 5 min of aerosol storage time at 16 C, virus inactivation was RH-dependent, with survival maximal at either high (greater than 80%) or low (less than 5%) RH. After 5 min at 16 C, further inactivation, regardless of RH, was insignificant. At 26 C, the effect on survival of RH between 40 and 60% was even more pronounced than at 16 C, and continued after 5 min through 6 hr. Results of this study indicated that the inactivation of airborne Col-SK group viruses was similar to that of other ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses, particularly poliovirus. Since members of the Col-SK group are picornaviruses, they may well serve as an aerosol model representative of small, ether-resistant, single-stranded RNA viruses.

Studies on the structure of viruses of the columbia SK group: II. The protein subunits of ME-virus and other members of the columbia SK group

The structural proteins of ME-, EMC-, and Mengo viruses contain two major electrophoretic components which could be shown to exist in the virion unlinked to each other by disulfide bridges. A weight-average molecular weight of about 26,000 was estimated for the protein of ME virus. Though they are roughly similar in size, the possibility that the respective major peptides have slightly different molecular weights could not be excluded.

Studies on the structure of viruses of the columbia SK group: I. Purification and properties of ME-virus grown in ehrlich ascites cell suspensions

ME-virus can be propagated in suspensions of Ehrlich ascites cells in vitro. Virus purified from such infected cultures was recovered in yields of 0.5–1.0 mg per liter. The virion contained 31% RNA and exhibited a base and amino acid composition similar to, but not identical with, the EMC- and polio virions.

ANTIBODIES TO VIRUSES OF THE COLUMBIA SK GROUP IN SCIURIDAE IN BRITAIN.

ANTIBODIES TO VIRUSES OF THE COLUMBIA SK GROUP IN SCIURIDAE IN BRITAIN.

Studies on the multiplication of a member of the columbia SK group (Me virus) in L cells: IV. Role of “early proteins” in virus induced metabolic changes

The ME virus-induced metabolic changes in L cells were investigated in more detail by using p-fluorophenylalanine as an inhibitor of protein synthesis at sequential stages of the multiplication process. The results obtained, and those described in the preceding paper, suggest that the changes depend on the production of several types of “early proteins”: those responsible for the inhibition of normal ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein synthesis, respectively, and one or more necessary for the production of virus-specific material, all of them to be coded by the viral genome.

Studies on the multiplication of a member of the Columbia SK group (Me virus) in L cells: III. Alteration of RNA and protein synthetic patterns in virus-infected cells

Using a double labeling technique, the inhibition of normal ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein synthesis and the subsequent production of virus material—as observed in the ME-virus L-cell system—were studied quantitatively. With respect to the mechanism of the inhibitory processes, no indication was found that they are caused or simulated by a rapid degradation of cellular RNA. Experiments with actinomycin C 1 suggest, moreover, that the virus-induced inhibition of cellular protein synthesis is not an immediate consequence of the viral effect on the normal RNA-synthesizing system and does not require a specific action of the host-cell genome.

The effect of Mengovirus infection on the activity of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase of L-cells.

Mengovirus is a small RNA virus, approximately 27 mµ in diameter, containing only RNA and protein, according to the analyses of Faulkner et al. on the closely related encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus. It is a member of the Columbia SK group of viruses which we have been studying in detail in recent years.

Mixed infection with type 2 poliomyelitis virus and Columbia SK group virus in man; an attempt to explain any relation of viruses of the Columbia SK group to human poliomyelitis.

Two virus strains isolated from stools of poliomyelitis patients were apparently a mixture of a type 2 strain of poliomyelitis virus, and of a strain of the Columbia SK group of viruses. Both components of the E.S. strain could be separated by neutralization of second passage cynomolgus monkey cord with either Lansing or Columbia SK hyperimmune serum. A similar technique with the 19th monkey passage of the A.K. strain failed to separate the components of this strain, which is suggested to be due to interference. Under experimental conditions, the murine A.K. strain was shown to interfere with the simian A.K. strain. Similarly, the original Columbia SK virus interfered with the Aycock strain of type 2 poliomyelitis virus. No interference was observed between the murine A.K. strain and types 1 and 3 poliomyelitis virus.

Demyelinating encephalomyelitis in a cynomolgus monkey following vaccination against smallpox and simultaneous inoculation of a neutropic virus recovered from a case of postvaccinal encephalitis.

Demyelinating encephalitis, very closely resembling postvaccinal encephalitis in man, has been produced in one cynomolgus monkey following vaccination against smallpox and simultaneous inoculation of a virus of the Columbia SK group, which had been isolated from stools and throat of a child suffering from postvaccinal encephalitis. Since this result was not reproducible in two subsequent experiments, it is emphasized, that a most reserved attitude has to be adopted as to the aetiological significance of the combined activity of neurotropic virus and vaccinia virus for postvaccinal encephalitis.

Human infection with viruses of the Columbia SK group.

Human infection with viruses of the Columbia SK group.

Studies on immunity in poliomyelitis. II. Adaptation of a strain of poliomyelitis virus on mice, and immunization experiments with the mouse-adapted virus.

The AK strain of poliomyelitis virus was shown to be pathogenic for mice in its 17th monkey passage. The strain was serologically related both to the Lansing type and to the Columbia SK group of viruses. It differed in pathogenicity from the members of the Columbia SK group, except in its high mouse infectivity and haemagglutinating capacity, so that a laboratory contamination with one of these viruses could be excluded. Moreover, the adaptation was frequently repeated under carefully controlled conditions. The mouse-adapted AK strain proved practically avirulent for rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys, but it produced a certain degree of resistance of the central nervous system to the Lansing type and to the Columbia SK group. When rhesus monkeys were fed mouse AK virus, the virus was excreted in the stools, antibodies against the homologous virus developed, and the animals proved resistant to peripheral challenge with the Lansing type, the Columbia SK group and with the Brunhilde type. Peripheral challenge was possible, since it was shown, that paralysis developed in intramuscularly inoculated monkeys with the various types of poliomyelitis virus, and simultaneous injection of cortisone. The origin of the virus and the possibility of its use as immunizing agent in man are discussed.

Pathogenic and immunologic properties of two new members of the Columbia SK group of viruses.

Two virus strains, F and Ortlieb, which were presumably isolated from patients in Western Germany suffering from illnesses with varying symptomatology, including encephalomyelitis and myocarditis, produced paralysis in rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys. On histological examination of intracerebrally inoculated monkeys, a disseminated encephalomyelitis and myocarditis were found, the anterior horn lesions in the spinal cord closely resembling those in experimental poliomyelitis. On peripheral inoculation, the pathological picture resembled more that of poliomyelitis. The viruses were also pathogenic for mice and guinea pigs, they agglutinated sheep red cells and human 0 cells, and they appeared to be immunologically closely related to Columbia SK virus as shown in cross-neutrali-zation and haemagglutination-inhibition tests. The fact, that the strains differed from Columbia SK virus in their pathogenicity for rhesus monkeys, and failed to grow in the chick-embryo, is circumstantial evidence against their being derived from laboratory contamination with Columbia SK virus.

Studies on immunity in poliomyelitis. I. Homologous immunity produced with ultraviolet-irradiated adsorbate vaccine.

The A. K. strain of poliomyelitis virus, and the F strain of the Columbia SK group of viruses were adsorbed on aluminium hydroxide or on alu-Archiv f. Virusforschung, Bd. V, H. 1. minium phosphate, and subsequently partly or completely inactivated by ultraviolet irradiation. The adsorbates were inoculated intracerebrally or intramuscularly into rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys. The rate of adsorption on aluminium phosphate was higher (practically 100 percent) than on the hydroxide, and the attachment to the former was extremely fast, so that it did not produce paralysis following intracerebral inoculation. Fifty per cent of the monkeys that received two or three intramuscular injections with 1 ml of the inactivated adsorbate vaccine proved resistant to 100 PD50 of intracerebrally inoculated homologous virus. When vaccinating with attenuated adsorbed virus, 55 to 100 percent of the animals proved resistant to the challenge dose. In vaccinated mice neutralizing antibodies developed. The suitability of similarly prepared vaccines in human beings is discussed.

Chemotherapeutic effects of a naphthoquinonimine on infection of mice with Columbia-SK group of viruses.

Summary and ConclusionsThe chemotherapeutic effect of a certain napthoquinonimine (compound Ro 2-3532/1) was studied on the peripheral infection of mice with Col-SK virus, F virus and EMC virus. It was found that a well tolerated single dose of 5 mg of the drug, administered intraperitoneally, was sufficient to protect a high percentage of the mice against infection with multiple paralytic doses of Col-SK or F virus injected simultaneously by the same route. Experiments in which the virus was injected intraperitoneally but the drug subcutaneously showed likewise a definite degree of protection though inferior to that observed when both were given by the same route. Significant protection could also be obtained up to and including 1 hour after intraperitoneal infection with small doses of virus. Experiments in which the drug was tested for its chemotherapeutic action against EMC virus showed only a minimum degree of protection considered to be insignificant. Some attempts were made to analyze the probable ...