The Oncogenicity of Human Adenoviruses in Hamsters

Abstract

Twenty-seven human adenovirus types (1 through 30 except 2,10 and 11) were inoculated into newborn hamsters which were held and observed until death. Malignant tumors developed in animals inoculated with adenovirus types 1, 7, 8, 12, 14, 18, 21 and 24. Of animals inoculated with each of these viruses, the percent developing tumors was 7, 4, 11, 62, 7, 15, 15 and 9 respectively. The incidence of tumors in control hamsters was approximately 0.5%. The histological types of tumors were predominantly undiff erentiated sarcomas and malignant lymphomas. Tumors arose in hamsters inoculated with 2 strains of type 1 and 1 strain of type 12 isolated from tumors of children.