Comparative susceptibilities of pregnant, nonpregnant, and lactating hamsters to infections with H‐1 and reoviruses

Abstract

AbstractPregnant and lactating hamsters were inoculated with reovirus type 3 and H‐1 virus to determine whether they had any special susceptibility as compared with nonpregnant controls; whole blood, liver, and uterus were tested for virus on successive days after inoculation. Results showed that both agents proliferated to highest titers in pregnant as well as in lactating animals. These results were most striking with reovirus, which propagated to only a limited extent in controls and hamsters in the first half of gestation, although developing to high titers in the second half. A feature of the experiments was the ability of both agents to infect the postpartum uterus. Uterine infections, which appear to have importance for both rubella and cytomegaloviruses, should it would seem, be considered in relation to any viruses capable of inducing fetal infections or congenital anomalies.