EXPERIMENTAL TRANSMISSION OF INFLUENZA VIRUS INFECTION IN MICE

Abstract

Infector mice transmit influenza virus infection most readily 24-48 hours after initiation of their infection. This restricted period of transmission is not due to declining titers of infective virus in the nose, trachea or lungs of infector mice after 48 hours of infection, since peak titers in these tissues are maintained for 96 hours. A mouse-adapted strain of A2 virus was more readily transmitted than the mouse-adapted CAM strain of influenza A1 virus, although the CAM strain induced higher pulmonary virus titers and more extensive lung lesions.