The Influence of Stress on Murine Leukemia Virus Infection

Abstract

Non-specific or psychological stressors altered the host response to Rauscher leukemia virus. Infected mice subjected to sound or avoidance-learning stress developed significantly smaller spleens than nonstressed infected mice. Stress applied before viral injection had no influence on spleen size, while stress given after the virus markedly retarded splenic enlargement. This phenomenon was not seen in adrenalectomized mice. Death rates were slightly lower in stressed mice. The stress response had no influence on the action of antitumor drugs.