Interference stimulated by tick-borne encephalitis virus: influence of divalent cations

The effects of divalent cations (barium, cobalt, calcium, copper, magnesium, zinc and iron) on the interference of tick-borne encephalitis (TE) virus with vaccinia virus in Detroit-6 cell cultures were investigated. An increase in interference was shown in the presence of cobalt, zinc, copper, and magnesium. Barium and iron displayed a marked inhibitory action. But an increase in interference was not parallel with an increased production of interferon.