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Updated: Sep 6, 2026
Generation, Amplification, and Titration of Recombinant Respiratory Syncytial Viruses
Published on: April 4, 2019
A plaque method for rubella virus assay
Abstract:
A method has been described in which suitable dilutions of rubella virus will induce the formation, in a monolayer of green monkey kidney cells, of islets of infected cells which were protected from the effects of Echo 11 challenge virus. The number of islets or "negative" plaques was proportional to the dilution of rubella virus inoculated on to the monolayer. Using this method, it was observed that bentonite adsorption increased the plaque assay values of rubella virus pools. This suggested that rubella virus interference may be mediated by an interferon-like principle.
Insights
Rubella virus can protect kidney cells from Echo 11 virus, forming "negative" plaques. Bentonite adsorption enhanced rubella virus detection, suggesting an interferon-like mechanism for this viral interference.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Rubella virus is a significant human pathogen.
- Viral interference is a phenomenon where one virus inhibits the replication of another.
- Understanding rubella virus interactions is crucial for diagnostics and therapeutics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a novel method for quantifying rubella virus infectivity.
- To investigate the mechanism of rubella virus-induced interference.
- To explore the role of an interferon-like principle in rubella virus activity.
Main Methods:
- Culturing green monkey kidney cells in monolayers.
- Inoculating cell monolayers with serial dilutions of rubella virus.
- Challenging infected monolayers with Echo 11 virus to identify "negative" plaques.
- Assessing the effect of bentonite adsorption on rubella virus plaque assay values.
Main Results:
- Rubella virus dilutions induced "negative" plaques, indicating protection from Echo 11 virus.
- The number of "negative" plaques was directly proportional to rubella virus dilution.
- Bentonite adsorption significantly increased the plaque assay values of rubella virus pools.
- These findings suggest rubella virus interference may involve an interferon-like substance.
Conclusions:
- A reproducible plaque assay for rubella virus has been established using Echo 11 virus challenge.
- Rubella virus exhibits interference properties, potentially mediated by an interferon-like principle.
- Bentonite adsorption can enhance the detection and quantification of rubella virus.
