Inactivation of rabies virus in reagents used for the fluorescent rabies antibody test.

Procedures for inactivating rabies virus in reagents used for the fluorescent rabies antibody test are described. Mouse brain adsorbing suspensions containing greater than or equal to 10(9) 50% lethal doses of virus per ml were rendered noninfectious by treatment with 0.1% beta-propiolactone or by heating at 56 degrees for greater than or equal to 30 min. Viable virus in tissue impression smears was inactivated by acetone fixation at 50 degrees C for greater than or equal to 30 min or by immersion in 0.1% beta-propiolactone at 37 degrees C for 2 h. Inactivated reagents gave specific and sensitive reactions in the fluorescent rabies antibody test.