Viremia During Parainfluenza Type 3 Virus Infection of Hamsters 1

Summary

Parainfluenza Type 3 (Para 3) viremia has been demonstrated in hamsters by recovering virus from erythrocytes during pulmonary infection produced by the intranasal inoculation of virus. In attempts to isolate virus from blood, the plasma, erythrocytes and leukocytes were separated and cultured prior to freezing. Fetal bovine serum rather than calf serum was used in the tissue culture medium because the latter frequently contained Para 3 antibody. In addition, erythrocytes and leukocytes were allowed to remain in prolonged contact with tissue culture cells. The nonspecific CPE produced by plasma was avoided by washing tissue culture sheets 4 hr after the addition of plasma.

The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Dr. C. K. Y. Fong who examined tissue culture preparations in the electron microscope and Dr. G. D. Hsiung who provided valuable criticism during the preparation of the manuscript. The excellent technical assistance of Mrs. Barbara Meek and Mrs. Jeana Richo is appreciated.