Principles of selective inactivation of viral genome. VI. Inactivation of the infectivity of the influenza virus by the action of beta-propiolactone.

The kinetics of inactivation of the infectivity of the influenza virus by beta-propiolactone have been studied. Rate constants have been determined for inactivation of the A/Leningrad/385 (H3N2) and B/Leningrad/489/80 influenza virus under the action of beta-propiolactone on a virus-containing allantoic fluid and on a purified viral suspension. The data obtained allow calculation of the time required for inactivation of the influenza virus infectivity to a given extent in virus-containing solutions at any initial concentration of beta-propiolactone.