Virus Studies With Germfree Mice. I. Preparation of Serologic Diagnostic Reagents and Survey of Germfree and Monocontaminated Mice for Indigenous Murine Viruses2

Abstract

Sera of germfree mice of two different strains were examined for evidence of immunological contact with reovirus 3, pneumonia virus of mice, polyoma, K, Theiler's mouse encephalomyelitis, Sendai, mouse adenovirus, and mouse hepatitis viruses. All tests were negative, which is in contrast to the status of conventional mice similarly examined. In addition, no evidence was obtained for the presence in these germfree mice of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus or the plasma lactic dehydrogenase-stimulating agent. No evidence for inapparent or subclinical infection with certain of these viruses was obtained with the mouse antibody production test. The germfree barrier appears to offer effective protection against several viruses commonly in conventional mouse populations.