The Effect of Salt Concentration on the Interaction of Influenza a Virus and Erythrocytes

Abstract

Using formolized human erythrocytes and influenza A virus, it has been shown that the amount of adsorption of virus to the cells is related to the sodium chloride concentration of the system over a limited range. At very low salt-concentrations, practically no virus is adsorbed, while concentrations of salt around 0.9 per cent permit nearly maximal adsorption. The amount of cell receptor substance inactivated by virus at 37 C in a given time period is related similarly to the sodium chloride concentration over the range tested. Virus adsorbed to cells can be eluted quickly by salt-free water at 4 C, probably without appreciable disruption of the red cell receptor. As the salt-concentration increases to that considered physiologically normal, the amount of adsorbed virus removed from the cells decreases markedly.