Recovery of Reoviruses from Wild and Laboratory Mice

Abstract

Using virus isolation and serologic survey procedures, the occurrence of natural reovirus infection in mice has been detected. Four isolates of reovirus type 2 were recovered from urban and rural wild mice; 7 strains of reovirus type 3 were isolated from normal laboratory mice and transplant-induced mouse leukemias. Antibody to type 2 was found focally distributed in wild mice, but was not encountered in laboratory mice. A low titer serum inhibitor of type 3 HA and infectivity, possibly representing specific antibody, was prevalent in laboratory mice.