Strain-specific aggregation of enterovirus by dextran sulfate.

Dextran sulfate aggregates several enteroviruses depending not only on the pH, the ionic strength of the medium, but also on the protein content of the fluids and on strain specificities of the viruses. The aggregation effect was measured by filtration experiments, by sedimentation in the ultracentrifuge and by electron microscopy. The well known inhibiting effect of dextran sulfate on plaque formation may be due to its aggregating effect: A very strong inhibition of the release of matured virions from the infected cells is observed in medium containing dextran sulfate, whereas the adsorption process is inhibited much less compared with PBS controls. The maximal effect on virus aggregation, plaque size and virus release is observed at the same concentration of dextran sulfate.