The Reversal in Vivo by Bal of Inactivation of Influenza a Virus and Diplococcus Pneumoniae by Bichloride of Mercury

Abstract

Summary Influenza A virus after 25 minutes contact with a 1:10,000 dilution of HgCl2 is completely inactivated as determined by intranasal instillation of the treated virus into mice. This inactivation is completely reversible in vivo when 0.1 ml of a 1:200 aqueous dilution of BAL is given intramuscularly 5 minutes before the intranasal instillation of the inactive virus. When BAL is given 10 minutes after the instillation of the inactive virus there is a sharp drop in the degree of reactivation and when given 30 minutes after the inactive virus essentially no reactivation is obtained. Diplococcus pneumoniae, type III, inactivated by HgCl2 and injected intraäbdominally or instilled intranasally can also be reactivated by BAL. However in contrast to the results obtained with influenza A virus reversal is obtained when BAL either precedes or follows the inactivated bacteria. The difference between the pattern of reversal obtained with the viral and bacterial infections suggests that the rapid adsorption of influenza A virus onto the lungs of the mouse removes the virus from the action of BAL. Possible applications of the reversal technic are discussed.