Experimental Transmission of Lymphogranuloma venereum Virus Through the Placenta

Abstract

In view of the recent emphasis by Goodpasture 1 on transmission of viral infections to the fetus, and because of the possibility of applying experimental study to human cases with eventually a clearer understanding of virus pathogenesis, an investigation dealing with the experimental transmission of the lymphogranuloma virus through the placenta of mice was undertaken. This animal host was selected because of its well-known susceptibility by intracerebral route to the agent under investigation. Two lines of study were followed: (1) injection of pregnant mice by non-infecting routes and (2) infection of the host by the usual experimental portal of entry, the brain. In both types of experiments a fixed mouse strain of lymphogranuloma virus was injected in dilutions of 1:10 into pregnant mice. These animals were sacrificed 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr after the injections, or after they had gone to term and kindled. At these periods, emulsions from the brains of both mother and fetus were injected into other mice. Part of the material so injected was made up into antigens in the usual manner (heating 3 hr at 58°). The antigens were then injected intradermally into human beings and compared with human antigen or Lygranum. 1 As has been recommended, 2 , 3 a skin test was considered positive if a papule with a diameter of 5 mm appeared within 48 hr. Normal mouse brains (maternal and fetal) treated similarly to the antigens were used as controls. Fifty-three human cases were tested. The presence or absence of virus in fetal tissue was also studied by intracerebral injections of tissue emulsions into normal mice.

Human and mouse antigens in 37 cases with positive Frei tests (human antigen) gave the following results (Table I).