Inactivation of poliovirus with beta-propiolactone

The recovery of poliovirus D-antigen after virus inactivation was studied for two inactivating agents (beta-propiolactone and formalin) using the three poliovirus types (Sabin types 1, 2 and 3). With beta-propiolactone (BPL), D-antigen recoveries were high (88, 88 and 60%, respectively) but were significantly less when formalin was used (22, 15 and 25%). beta-Propiolactone inactivated virus was purified, combined with Freund's adjuvant and used to hyperimmunize rabbits. High titres (50 000-200 000) of specific neutralizing antibody were obtained.