Use of betapropiolactone to disinfect fresh tissue without impairing antigenicity: method applicable to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive tissue.

A method for inactivating viruses in tissues is reported that does not impair the antigenicity of the Coxsackie virus or of some common tissue antigens, a common problem with standard tissue fixation methods. Tissues can be placed briefly in Betapropiolactone before cryostat sectioning without any adverse effect on preservation or antigen expression. It is suggested that use of Betapropiolactone is applicable to tissues harbouring or exposed to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). As betapropiolactone has been reported to be carcinogenic in rodents any potential danger can be avoided by basic simple precautions.