A rapid procedure for the production and purification of vesicular stomatitis virus

Ehrlich ascites tumour(EAT) cells were infected with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) within the peritoneal cavity of mice and used to prepare milligram quanities of purified virus. The protein pattern, endogenous transcriptase activity, and specific infectivity of this virus were comparable to viral preparations from HeLa and BHK cells. A total of 2-4 x 10(11) p.f.u. of VSV were obtained routinely from one mouse. The initial high concentration of VSV grown in EAT cells in the peritoneal cavity of mice facilitates virus isolation and allows its purification by a single gradient centrifugation step.