The Production of a Persistent Alteration in Influenza Virus by Lanthanum or Ultraviolet Irradiation

The rates of elution from RBC of the Lee and PR8 strains of influenza virus were studied by means of a step-wise elution technique. By means of a single treatment with lanthanum acetate or irradiation with ultraviolet and subsequent passage in chick embryos, it was possible to alter the elution rate of the Lee strain so that it was similar to that of the PR8 strain. This alteration proved to be persistent on serial passage in the absence of the agent which caused it. As far as was determined, the elution rate of the virus appeared to be the only property which was altered. The phenomenon can be most readily understood on the assumption that the difference in elution rates of the two strains is due to a heterogeneous population of virus particles in the Lee strain with respect to elution rate.