Purification of Measles Virus with Preservation of Infectivity and Antigenicity

Abstract

Measles virus Edmonstron strain was purified by ultrafiltration followed by 2 successive sedimentations through sucrose. Purified virus retained infectivity and, when used as immunogen, elicited high titered antibody to measles antigens by conventional serology. The measles preparations were examined by SDS[sodium dodecyl sulfate]-PAGE [polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis] followed by staining. Following PAGE, the purity of these preparations was assessed immunochemically using antisera directed to measles and host [African green monkey kidney vero] cell antigens. These studies demonstrate the utility of the purification method for the preparation of milligram quantities of relatively pure measles virus.