Abstract
Summary
A non-neuro-adapted WEE virus was demonstrated in the blood, brain, kidney, lung, pancreas and throat swab specimens of mice following intramuscular inoculation. The viremic phase ordinarily lasted from days 1 through 4. The virus was found in the brains of nearly all of the mice at 7 and 10 days after inoculation. The attenuated variant of the WEE virus infected mice when inoculated intranasally. The virus was demonstrated in the blood of all mice tested on days 1 through 4. At 7 and 10 days after inoculation the virus was occasionally found in the brain. The distribution of WEE virus in the organs of experimentally infected mice is consistent with the hypothesis that arthropod transmission may not be essential for the maintenance of the virus in rodent populations.
The author wishes to express his appreciation to Mr. James Woodie for doing the fluorescent antibody studies.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.