[Effect of elevated temperature on the persistence of measles virus vaccinal strain L-16 in a human cell culture].

The influence of high temperature (40 degrees C) on the virus carrier state and synthesis of virus-specific macromolecules in the HEp-2 cells--measles virus system was studied. The fluorescent antibody technique showed that cultivation at this high temperature led to changes in virus antigen morphology, a decrease in the number and then complete disappearance of the cells producing virus-specific antigen. Simultaneously, gradual cessation of synthesis of all kinds of virus-specific RNA was observed in chronically infected cells. The method of radioimmunoprecipitation showed the incubation at 40 degrees C to affect first of all the synthesis of virus nucleocapsid protein. The temperature-sensitive nature of synthesis of virus macromolecules may be explained by the existence of its mutations in the genome of the persisting virus.