Reactions of Monkeys to Experimental Respiratory Infections. I. Response to Influenza Virus A

Abstract

Most of our current knowledge of experimental influenza has been derived from observations made on small laboratory animals, particularly mice and ferrets. Vieuchange1 reported certain manifestations of infection in 2 monkeys inoculated with an unfiltered mouse-lung suspension of the “W.S.” strain of virus. Some 2 years ago we began a series of correlated studies-clinical, hematological, bacteriological, and immunological-in normal monkeys inoculated intranasally: (1) with the virus of influenza A, (2) with Streptococcus hemolyticus Group C, and (3) with the virus and streptococcus in various sequences.2 Similar studies are in progress, utilizing vitamin-deficient monkeys. This communication records the reaction of normal monkeys to the virus alone.Methods. The PR-8 strain of influenza virus used was maintained by intranasal passage in young adult white mice. The inoculum for the monkeys was prepared as follows : The lungs of infected mice were triturated in 9 volumes of buffered saline; the suspension wa...