Emergence of Hepatitis Virus in Mice Injected with Ascites Tumor

Summary

1) A contaminant, subsequently identified as a virus of the mouse hepatitis group, appeared in Princeton weanlings during the 132nd intraperitoneal passage of an ascites tumor. The virus was regularly demonstrable in the ascitic fluid and was readily maintained in both Princeton and Swiss mice by serial transfer of fluid. In its presence, livers showed necrotic lesions and the ascitic fluid was altered in amount, consistency, and color. An artificial mixture of the 2 agents behaved in much the same way as the natural mixture. 2) The 2 mouse strains were equally susceptible to the tumor but not to the virus. Liver lesions produced by the virus alone were much more pronounced in Princeton mice. Presence of both agents facilitated migration of tumor cells to the liver and resulted in a marked enhancement of the hepatic reaction in Swiss mice.