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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Alternative In Vitro Methods for the Determination of Viral Capsid Structural Integrity
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Protection of Measles Virus by Sulfate Ions Against Thermal Inactivation

F Rapp1, J S Butel, C Wallis

  • 1Department of Virology and Epidemiology, Baylor University College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

Journal of Bacteriology
|July 1, 1965
PubMed

Insights

Sulfate ions, particularly magnesium sulfate, protect measles virus from heat inactivation. This finding is crucial for preserving virus infectivity during storage and handling.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Measles virus infectivity is rapidly lost at elevated temperatures.
  • Magnesium chloride accelerates measles virus inactivation.
  • Understanding factors affecting virus stability is critical for research and vaccine development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the protective effect of sulfate ions on measles virus stability.
  • To determine the influence of magnesium and sodium sulfate on thermal inactivation of measles virus.
  • To assess the long-term storage stability of measles virus in the presence of different salts.

Main Methods:

  • Incubation of measles virus in water, magnesium chloride, and magnesium/sodium sulfate solutions at various temperatures (4°C to 56°C).
  • Measurement of virus infectivity loss over time under different conditions.
  • Evaluation of storage stability at 4°C for up to 6 weeks.

Main Results:

  • Measles virus is rapidly inactivated at temperatures above 37°C.
  • Magnesium sulfate and sodium sulfate significantly protect measles virus against thermal inactivation, especially up to 45°C.
  • Storage in 1 M magnesium sulfate at 4°C preserves substantial infectivity for 6 weeks, unlike storage in water or magnesium chloride.

Conclusions:

  • Sulfate ions are effective stabilizers of measles virus, protecting it from thermal inactivation.
  • Magnesium sulfate offers significant protection for both virulent and attenuated measles virus strains, enabling prolonged storage.
  • These findings have implications for the preservation and handling of measles virus in laboratory settings.

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