Large-scale production and concentration of infectious Epstein-Barr virus

Abstract

Infectious Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was produced from suspension cultures of P3HR-1 cells. A protocol for the scaled-up production and concentration of the virus was developed. Virus from the culture fluid was concentrated by continuous-flow pelletization or continuous flow with banding in sucrose. EBV prepared by pelletization yielded 1.7 X 10(4) infectious units/ml (100 X concentration) and less than 3.4 X 10(7) EVB particles/ml (1,000 X concentration), whereas EBV prepared by banding yielded 4.6 X 10(3) infectious units/ml (100 X concentration) aand 1.3 X 10(8) EBV particles 1 ml (1,000 X concentration). The majority of the virus particles observed were "empty" membrane-associated particles. A statistical test of the correlation between infectivity and virus particle count was made.