REMOVAL OF HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS BY AN 0.04-MU-M MEMBRANE-FILTER

We tested the ability of a 0.04-mu m nylon membrane filter to remove h uman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from tissue culture media containing 10% fetal calf serum. Endpoint titrations of infectious virus (ID50) were performed on lymphocyte cultures. The presence of virus in the cu ltures was determined using an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay (EL ISA) of the HIV-1 P24 core antigen. In repeated experiments, filtratio n of the virus suspension resulted in the removal of HIV below detecta ble limits. The titer reduction was estimated to be greater than 8.5 x 10(2). These results suggest that this filter is effective in removin g HIV from fluids containing serum or serum products.