Immunological Studies With the Virus of Influenza

Abstract

Following infection with the virus of influenza, both ferrets and mice develop a state of active immunity to reinfection. The serum of these animals contains neutralizing antibodies, as evidenced by the capacity of the serum to confer passive protection to mice against infection with the P.R.8 and Phila. strains of the virus of human influenza. Rabbits which are apparently insusceptible to infection with the virus of influenza produce specific antibodies in response to repeated injection of virus-containing material. The serum of immunized rabbits affords passive protection to mice against mouse-virulent virus. Although the subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injection of the living virus does not produce infection in mice, animals so treated acquire active immunity against subsequent infection by the intranasal route. Neutralization tests with the serum of patients before and after recovery from influenza, pneumonia and the common cold indicate that neutralizing antibodies arise as a specific response to infection with the virus of influenza. The immunological identity of strains of influenza virus recovered from human sources has been established, and the possible existence of strains of related, but not identical, antigenic structure is discussed.

Pseudotyped Influenza A Virus as a Vaccine for the Induction of Heterotypic Immunity

“…As the dose of virus is increased, weight loss occurs earlier after the challenge. The route of administration of A/PR/8/34 is crucial for virulence (17), as is shown in Fig. 3B, where as much as 320 HAU given into the peritoneum does not cause any symptoms.…”

The search for the ideal influenza vaccine

“…Independent contemporary studies carried out by Frances (1934a, b; and by Francis and Magill (1935a) gave prompt verification concerning adaptation of virus to mice, protection by vaccination with suspensions of infected lungs, and the serological distinctiveness of swine and human strains.…”

Four Recent Influenza Epidemics: An Experimental Study

“…One or more strains of epidemic influenza virus have been obtained from cases of epidemic influenza during each of the years from 1933 through 1937 (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). A total of more than 125 strains has been recorded.…”