Abstract
JaTH 160 strain of Japanese encephalitis virus was inoculated intraperitoneally into pregnant hamsters. Vertical transmission of viral infection was followed in some animals which inoculated during the first 4 th to 10 th day of pregnancy.
Three to 4 days after infection, immunofluorescent studies showed specific viral antigen in cytoplasm of endothelial cells located in maternal uterine blood vessels. One or two days later, specific antigen appeared in maternal placental tissue. Five to six days after infection, specific fluorescent cells increased in number forming confluent focal lesions. These lesions acted as primary foci in fetus, and the virus infection spread quite rapidly through fetal blood vessels. The infected fetus showed specific antigen in endothelial cells of capillary, cartilage membrane, heart muscles, trunc muscles, dental germs, Auerbach's plexus in gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, lungs and kidneys.
