Viral infectivity is maintained by an RNA protection buffer.

RNA stabilization buffers are valuable additives which are used widely. Although their effect on RNA protection has been well assessed, the impact on viral infectivity was unsettled. The potential stabilizing or inactivating effects of RNAlater (Qiagen) on the infectivity of different relevant and model viruses including HIV were assessed. Our results show that RNAlater not only protects RNA as published by others but also stabilizes virus infectivity of enveloped and non-enveloped model viruses for a considerable period of time on a relatively high level (storage at room temperature for 50 days yielded infectious titers > 100 TCID50).