Factors related to the growth of psittacosis virus (strain 6BC). IV. Certain amino acids, vitamins, and other substances.

The analogues of amino acids, beta-2-thienylalanine, ethionine, and 6-methyltryptophane, inhibited the growth of psittacosis virus (6BC) in tissue culture without evidence of serious toxicity for the host cells. Of a number of vitamin analogues tested, only salicyl-beta-alanide inhibited viral multiplication in the absence of toxic effects on the host cells. 6,7-Diethylriboflavin, desoxypyridoxine, and oxythiamine reduced viral growth in concentrations that possessed some toxicity for host tissue. In tolerated amounts, 3-acetylpyridine, pyridine-3-sulfonic acid, pantoyl sulfanilamide, and desthiobiotin did not effect viral multiplication. Sodium malonate inhibited psittacosis virus growth in non-toxic amounts, whereas sodium monofluoroacetate was ineffective. Colchicine suppressed multiplication of virus only after a prolonged period of exposure and subsequent delay before producing inhibition, suggesting that the effect was secondary to its antimitotic action which suppressed multiplication of the host cells.