Biochemical Transformation of mouse cells by herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2: comparison of different methods for inactivation of viruses.

Comparison of methods to inactivate lytic properties of herpes simplex viruses revealed that ultraviolet irradiation, photodynamic procedures, and heat all destroyed infectivity effectively. Ability to biochemically transform thymidine kinase deficient cells to an enzyme positive phenotype was retained after limited exposure to heat or ultraviolet light but appeared to be destroyed by photodynamic methods employing neutral red. Exposure to 56 degrees C quickly and effectively destroyed transforming activity with lower temperatures being less effective. The most reproducible transforming assays were obtained following inactivation by ultraviolet light. Cell cultures developed by this procedure were virus-free but retained ability to synthesize virus-specific antigens.