A Study Correlating Virus Particle Frequency with Disease Progression in a Transmitted Murine Leukemia ∗

Summary

A technique was applied to correlate the quantity of virus particles with (a) time following inoculation of leukemic cells, and (b) the presence or absence of leukemia. The CFW_W axenic mice were inoculated with murine leukemic cells containing virus. The inoculated animals were examined every 2 days for quantity and type of virus particles and for evidence of leukemia. Results demonstrated the presence of particles 2 days after inoculation. The first evidence of leukemic infiltration by light microscopy occurred on day 8 after inoculation. All mice that were diagnosed as leukemic by light microscopy showed a high particle frequency (+3 to +4). The high particle numbers closely correlated with the presence of leukemia and not necessarily with the time after inoculation. It is suggested that most of the virus found in the inoculated animals are derived from the donor cells.