Changes in light scattering, absorption, fluorescence and biological characteristics of influenza virus A(H1N1) exposed to sonication.

Influenza virus A/Brasil 11/78 (H1N1) was sonicated for different time intervals (2-328 sec) in a continuous flow Ultrasonics F600 device at 20 kHz, 600 W. Marked changes in the structure of the virions were made evident by light scattering, absorption and fluorescence measurements. Light scattering data indicated that the turbidity of the influenza virus samples is inversely proportional to the square of the wavelength. A sharp decrease in hemagglutinating activity and infectivity occurred following sonication for more than 50 sec.