Intraspinal Inoculation of Mice in Experimental Poliomyelitis

Abstract

An intraspinal inoculation technic in mice through an incision of the skin over the vertebral column has been developed. In applying this technic to studies involving Lansing strain of poliomyelitis in mice it has been found to give much shorter incubation periods (2-10 days) and higher titers (avg. 0.7 log higher) than with intracerebral inoculation of the same virus materials. The technic can be applied to serum neutralization tests of Lansing virus. Virus content of brains of animals developing paralysis after intraspinal inoculation is quite low whereas cord titers are similar to those following intracerebral inoculation. By the new technic the proportion of hind leg paralysis exceeds paralysis of the front legs.