Effect of Proteolytic Enzymes on the Infectivity of a Number of Herpesviruses

Abstract

The titers of murine cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus type 1 were markedly reduced after short exposure to 0.25% trypsin or chymotrypsin; 3–4.5 log₁₀ units were lost in 3 min. In contrast, even after exposure for 60 min, five human strains of cytomegalovirus lost less than 1 log₁₀ unit.