The Effect of Various Diluents Acting for Short Periods on Rabies Virus in High Dilutions

Summary and ConclusionsFresh rabies passage virus was diluted in tenfold serial dilutions up to 1:10,000,000 with nine different diluents. The four highest dilutions of each were tested in mouse groups of four, immediately on preparation and at varying intervals thereafter up to 24 hours. After 21 days the virus titers in mice were compared to determine the degree of unfavorable effect of each diluent on the virus.Results showed that the several diluents differed considerably in their harmful effects on the virus. Distilled water was slightly less harmful to the virus than hormone broth. Normal saline solution was definitely harmful in one hour. When a 10 per cent normal serum was added to a diluent its unfavorable effect on the virus was reduced. Serum tyrode solution was found to be the least harmful of the diluents tested and the most regular in its action. Serum water was only slightly less satisfactory and is recommended on account of the ease of its preparation.