Specific Organ Defects in Early Chick Embryos Following Inoculation with Influenza A Virus.

Abstract

Influenza A virus, inoculated in high titer in chick embryos of approximately 48 hours incubation, produced specific organ defects particularly of the lens and auditory vesicles, in addition to previously reported axis twists and flattened encephalon. Embryos inoculated at slightly later stages with more dilute virus, developed axis twists and flattened encephalon but were less consistent in their development of defects of lens and auditory vesicles. Specific hyperimmune serum completely prevented all the influenza-induced teratogenic effects.