Isolation and characterization of a parvovirus of rabbits.

The isolation and characterization of a new virus from rabbit stool are described. The virus replicated in rabbit kidney cell cultures and agglutinated human group O erythrocytes at 4 degrees C. It was stable at acid pH and resistant to chloroform and heat treatment. The growth of the virus was inhibited by 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine, and virions were stained red with acridine orange, suggesting that they contain single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid. The density of virions was 1.41 to 1.44 g/ml in CsCl, and the sedimentation value was 137S in sucrose at 4 degrees C. The infectious particles had cubic symmetry and were 27 to 28 nm in diameter by electron microscopy. By these properties this virus can be classified as a member of the parvovirus group. Antibody response was demonstrated in the rabbit from which this virus was recovered. A number of rabbits from a commercial source were found to contain hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody to this virus.