Abstract
The difficulties encountered in obtaining protection against poliomyelitic infection in the monkey with any degree of regularity by the various recognized methods of active immunization are sufficiently known to any worker in this field. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 In the following paper we have compared the efficacy of different routes of administration of the virus in the production of immunity against intracerebral infection.
A total of 16 monkeys were divided in small groups of from 4 to 2 animals, a different method of immunization being utilized in each instance. Thus, 4 monkeys were immunized intradermally, 3 intrapleurally, 5 2 intraperitoneally, and one subcutaneously, while 2 monkeys received the virus intrarectally after thorough cleansing of the colon. 6 From 2 to 4 injections were given in the various groups, at intervals of 2 to 3 weeks. Live virus was used throughout this work, the size of the dose varying from 1 cc. to 3 cc. of a 20% cord suspension. Taking into account the density of the suspension, considerable amounts of virus were injected in some cases. In a last group of 4 monkeys, collodion sacs containing 3 cc. of virus suspension were inserted into the peritoneal cavity of the animals and left there indefinitely. The sacs, prepared according to the method described by Eggerth, 7 were sterilized before use in the autoclave (10 min. at 10 lb. pressure). They were roughly tested for permeability with a scale of different dyes of increasing particle size. The sacs which we used retained prussian blue, but allowed the passage of congo red in small quantities and were completely permeable for methylene blue. All animals were tested for immunity about one month after the last immunizing injection by intracerebral inoculation (1 cc. of a 5% virus cord emulsion), the virulence of the virus being controlled in each instance by simultaneous infection of one normal monkey.
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