[Characteristics of encephalomyocarditis virus isolated from sick monkeys]

A cytopathic filterable agent designated EMC-70 was isolated in 1970 from Macaca rhesus monkeys with encephalomyocarditis. Its biologic and physico-chemical properties were studied. A number of primary and continuous cell cultures were found to be susceptible to the virus, and it was pathogenic for monkeys and small laboratory animals but did not multiply in chick embryos. The virus was stable to chlorofrom, thermolabile, stable to acids, and agglutinated group O erythrocytes of man, sheep, guinea pig. Electron microscopic examinations of infected cells revealed crystalline packings of subunits about 50 nm in diameter typical of picornaviruses. Serological studies demonstrated close antigenic relationship of the isolate with the virus belonging to encephalomyocarditis group.