The influence of divalent cations on the stability of human rotavirus.

The influence of divalent cations on the stability of human rotavirus was investigated using the indirect immunofluorescence (FA) technique in LLC-MK2 cells to titrate infectivity. Rotavirus infectivity was stabilized by calcium and strontium ions in solution but not by magnesium ions. Rotavirus isolates were found to be much less stable at 37 degrees C than at + 4 degrees C or 20 degrees. A study of virus morphology at intervals during the course of the experiment and treatment with the chelating agents EDTA and EGTA suggests that loss of infectivity coincides with the removal of the outer capsid layer and that calcium may be required to maintain virus integrity.