Isoelectric point determination of live polioviruses by capillary isoelectric focusing with whole column imaging detection.

Using a capillary isoelectric focusing-whole column imaging detection (CIEF-WCID) method, the isoelectric points (pI) of complete intact polioviruses were determined. The polioviruses that were analyzed are the commonly used viruses for the production of inactivated polio vaccines (IPV)-Mahoney (type 1), MEF (type 2), and Saukett (type 3)-as well as for attenuated oral polio vaccines (OPV) and Sabin types 1, 2, and 3. A method for analyzing biological hazardous components (biological safety level 2) was set up for the CIEF-WCID analyzer used. This method is based on closed circuits. The determined pI's were 6.2 for Mahoney, 6.7 for MEF-1, and 5.8 for Saukett. The pI's of Sabin types 1, 2, and 3 viruses were 7.4, 7.2, and 6.3, respectively. Resolution of the virus peaks was shown to be reproducible. Using this adjusted CIEF-WCID technique, the pI of biologically hazardous components like toxins or viruses can be determined, which is beneficial for the development of vaccine production methods among others.