The Study
Effect of Several Inorganic Salts on Infectivity of Mengo Virus.∗
This study is like a simple note someone wrote about what they saw in a lab experiment. It tells us what happened to a virus in some salt water, but it doesn't prove anything because we don't know how the experiment was done. We can't say for sure if the salt caused the changes or if it was just a coincidence.
Analysis score
Maximum 44 for a cross-sectional study.
Where the score came from
Scientists tested how salt water affects a virus
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 56 / 100
Quality score
Snapshots of a population at a single point in time, or descriptions of small groups. Can identify correlations and prevalence, but cannot determine cause and effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Not specified in abstract
- 2Virus stayed active in salt water and plain water
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine
Year
1961
Authors
R. Speir
Related Content
Claims (2)
Scientists found that a virus called Mengo stays just as strong and dangerous when mixed with salt water or plain water and kept warm, because it still killed mice in tests.
Scientists think that a certain virus gets turned off more by chloride (like in salt) than by sodium (another part of salt), meaning chloride might be the key ingredient stopping the virus.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.