Further Studies on the Influence of Steroids on Viral Infection in Mice

Abstract

Certain steroids have been reported to enhance experimental viral infections, whereas others have little or no effect. Interference with the interferon system has been suggested as a possible mechanism for the viral infection-enhancing (VIE) activity of hormones. In the present study, steroids (prednisolone, progesterone, testosterone) which had no effect on MM virus infection demonstrated VIE activity against Mayaro virus infection. It is suggested that the VIE activity of a hormone may be dependent on the viral agent used for challenge. Data are also presented which suggest that, in addition to interference with the interferon system, the VIE activity of steroid hormones may be the result of at least two other actions: (i) alteration of cell membranes; (ii) stimulation of initial viral replication.

In vitro Effects of Some Steroidal Hormones on the Replication of Avian Pneumovirus

“…Reproductive hormones and/or cortisone have been suggested to influence or to be influenced by several viral infections (Giron et al., 1973; Jones and Ambali, 1987; Al‐Afaleq, 1998). For example, Giron et al. (1973) studied the effects of certain steroids on the replication of mice encephalomyocarditis (MM) and Mayaro viruses in mice.…”

Effects of 17beta-estradiol on the replication of rubella virus in an estrogen-responsive, continuous cell line

“…Cortisone has been shown to enhance the replication of a number of animal viruses (6). As an extension of this phenomenon, the in vivo effects of other steroid hormones on virus replication have been examined (3,4). The results indicated that treatment of animals with estrone, cortisone, or hydrocortisone increased the susceptibility of animals to MM virus, an RNA virus.…”