Serology and surviving characteristics of Papaya lethal yellowing virus

The Papaya lethal yellowing virus (PLYV) is responsible for one of the most important disease of papaya (Carica papaya) in the Northeast of Brazil. The PLYV can be transmitted through the soil, irrigation water, agriculture tools and contaminated hands. The present research had the objective to characterize biologically, serologically and physically a PLYV isolate and evaluates how long it survives in infected dried tissues. The PLYV was identified by indirect enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA), isolated in young papaya plants by mechanical inoculations and maintained at green house conditions for virus purification. Approximately 309.5 mg of virus was purified per kg of infected papaya leaves and a polyclonal antiserum was obtained from an immunized rabbit. The antiserum obtained was shown to be highly specific to PLYV with a titer of 1:128 in double immune-diffusion and a titer of 1:1.024.000 in indirect ELISA. The virus was detected in dried roots and leaves maintained at room temperature up to 120 days, confirming its high stability within nonliving plant tissues, which could explain its dissemination by contaminated hands, tools, water and soil. The physical properties determined for the virus revealed a thermal inactivation point of 80 degrees C, longevity in vitro over 50 days and dilution end point ac. of 10(-6).