Biophysical-immunological assay for ribonucleic acid type C viruses.

A biophysical and immunological method for characterization of ribonucleic acid type C virus suspensions is described. The method provides a relationship to the total viral mass concentration of the particle titer, the gs antigen titer, and the ultraviolet absorbance (268 nm) of 2% sodium dodecyl sulfate digests. Data for murine, rat, feline, and hamster viruses are shown to be analogous within the test limitations. From these data, an assessment of the viral purity can be made, the structural integrity can be evaluated, an approximate molecular weight can be computed, and the mole ratio of gs antigen can be determined.