Preservation of enteroviruses by freeze-drying

A method was developed for freeze-dry stabilization of poliovirus type 3. An ultrafiltration procedure was used to remove salts from infected tissue culture fluid, and the virus was freeze-dried after suspension in an alkaline organic buffer. This method was further tested with other picornaviruses including poliovirus types 1 and 2, coxsackieviruses A9, A20, B2, and B5, echovirus 11, and the encephalomyocarditis virus. Freeze-dried preparations of the poliovirus could be shipped to distant laboratories at ambient temperature with excellent retention of infectivity. Data are presented showing effects of freeze-drying as well as results of exposure to temperatures to 37 C.