Antiviral Activities of Amniotic Fluid

Abstract

Abstract

Because viral infection in pregnancy can be a threat to the developing fetus, the identification and quantification of any protective factors operating on behalf of the offspring may be important. We have, therefore, assayed human amniotic fluid for factors influencing viral growth and have found that such fluid does not contain substances with an interferon-like effect, but does contain dialyzable components which will inactivate fibroblast interferon. Furthermore, amniotic fluids tested did not contain virus neutralizing activity as determined using vesicular stomatitis virus, but did contain specific antibodies against herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus.