Immunofluorescent Examination of the Nasal Mucous Membrane of Mouse in Prophylactic Trials against Sendai Virus

Abstract

Sendai virus infection was examined by the immunofluorescent method in the nasal mucous membrane (NMM) of the mice having received each of five kinds of prophylactic treatment by direct or contact exposure. Administration of interferon or poly I:C via the nasal route decreased in number the viral-antigen-positive cells in NMM in the postexposure period, and the latter treatment protected the lower respiratory organs from contagion. Immunoprophylaxis of the entire respiratory organs against contagion was nearly complete with 6 dosages of UV-inactivated vaccine via the nasal route, but not by administration of alginate adjuvant UV-vaccine via the percutaneous route or ether-inactivated vaccine via the nasal route. However, the adjuvant vaccine protected the lower respiratory organs against contagion. Except for one successful UV-vaccine group, the test-positive cells in NMM of the five vaccinated groups and control increased markedly till postexposure day (PED) 5 and 10 by direct and contact infection, respectively, and thereafter decreased slowly. Viral antigen of the trachea and lungs disappeared on PED 7 and 12 with the development of serum antibody after infection by the two methods. This investigation of viral-antigen-positive cells in the entire respiratory organs, particularly in NMM differentiated in topical immunity and the viral infection between the two regions.