Abstract
Summary
The ability of several strains of RS virus to stimulate interferon production in vitro was studied. All RS strains studied were capable of inducing at least low titers of interferon in WI-38 and HF fibroblasts. The concentration of serum in the medium was of importance, the best yields of interferon being produced in medium with 2% fetal calf serum and little or none in 10% fetal calf serum. RS virus was shown to be sensitive to the antiviral action of interferon in WI-38 cells. It appears that the prolific multiplication of RS virus in young children is not due to lack of interferon-stimulating potential of the virus. The possibility that the interferon system is less efficient in young children than in adults was considered.
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