Comparative studies on cell lines established from normal and radiation-exposed miniature swine.

Cloned cell lines were established from two swine with radiation-induced myeloproliferative disorders, including one cell culture from an animal with myelogenous leukemia and one from an animal with myeloid metaplasia. A third cloned cell line with similar morphology was established from pooled normal fetal swine cornea to compare the growth characteristics of cells from normal and irradiated swine. All three cell lines grew as foci of aggregated cells and were able to form macroscopic colonies in semisolid agar medium. The lack of normal mechanisms of contact inhibition and the observed aneuploidy indicated that these cells were morphologically transformed. Further, the cloned cells caused tumors in nude mice, clearly indicating that these cells were also malignantly transformed. A major difference between these cell lines was that type C viruses were observed only in the cells derived from swine with myeloproliferative disorders.

Resistance of female mice to vaginal infection induced by Herpesvirus hominis type 2: effects of immunization with Mycobacterium bovis, intravenous injection of specific Herpesvirus hominis type 2 antiserum, and a combination of these procedures.

The susceptibility of 4- to 6-week-old female white Swiss mice to intravaginal inoculation with Herpesvirus hominis type 2 (HVH2) and the effect of prior intravenous immunization with Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) and/or treatment with specific HVH2 antiserum (SAS) were investigated. Mice inoculated intravaginally developed vaginitis, posterior paralysis, encephalitis, and death. Prior immunization with BCG either had no effect or appeared in some cases to enhance the course of the disease, whereas a single 0.5-ml intravenous injection of SAS provided significant protection. However, synergistic interaction of BCG immunization and treatment with SAS produced the greatest degree of protection in mice challenged intravaginally with HVH2.

Resistance of mice to infection with Friend disease virus after subcutaneous injection of Friend virus and Friend spleen cells.

Swiss mice injected subcutaneously with suspensions of spleen cells or an extract of spleens from mice infected with Friend virus develop resistance to subsequent intravenous inoculation of Friend virus. A single injection of either Friend virus or Friend cells induces resistance. Immunized mice display resistance when challenged 6 months after immunization and survive for at least 20 weeks after infection. Neutralization tests indicate that serum, but not lymphoid cells of resistant animals, can neutralize Friend virus. In vitro neutralization tests indicate that residence of virus within the peritoneal cavity of immune mice for 1 h sharply reduces the infective titer of the virus.

BCG prevents recurrent herpes genitalis infection.

PIP: This news article reports that Dr. Freedolph D. Anderson, at the 21st annual clinical meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, presented evidence suggesting vaccination with BCG may be the solution to the dilemma of recurrent herpesvirus genitalis infection. A series of clinical tests with 15 patients (of both sexes) who were subject to recurrent infection was the basis of conclusions. The BCG dosage was .1 ml. Anderson also cited the cases of 3 women on oral contraceptives who failed to develop a positive tuberculin reaction after vaccination with BCG. The relationship existing between cell-mediated immunity and the estrogen found in oral contraceptives is under study by Dr. Anderson and colleagues. Present concern about recurrent infection of this type partly reflects the suspicion that a link may exist between herpesvirus hominus type II and cervical cancer.^ieng

Herpesvirus hominis type 2 infections in rabbits: effect of prior immunization with attenuated Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) cells.

Angora, New Zealand, and Dutch-belted rabbits were tested for their susceptibility to graded doses of Herpesvirus hominis type 2 administered by vaginal instillation, intracorneal injection, and scarification of the cornea. Central nervous system involvement and death occurred after infection by the various routes employed. Prior immunization of Dutch-belted and New Zealand rabbits with viable Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) cells injected intravenously provided protection against subsequent infections with type 2 virus.