A STUDY IN VITRO OF COMPONENTS IN THE TRANSMISSION CYCLE OF SWINE INFLUENZA VIRUS

Abstract

Swine lungworm extracts and suspensions of swine lungworms contain receptor-like substances capable of adsorbing influenza virus, a result consonant with the hypothesis that the lungworm may be involved in the swine influenza cycle. Yet no evidence for multiplication of virus or even persistence of infectious virus in lungworms at undimished titer was found. Clearly much more information is needed, and it is hoped that the present demonstration of the practicality of studying the components of the transmission cycle proposed by Shope, will provide important tools requisite for further investigation of this problem. Studies on the role of the earthworm in the transmission of swine influenza suggest that, at best, that role would be a passive one.