Failure to Demonstrate Antibody in Feces of Monkeys Vaccinated with Poliomyelitis Virus,Lansing Strain. ∗ †

Abstract

Summary and Conclusion

Four monkeys were vaccinated with active preparations of the Lansing strain of poliomyelitis virus by parenteral routes. One animal received a total inoculum of 1.4 g of infected tissue, at the time of intracerebral challenge had an antibody titer in the serum of 800 against 10 LD₅₀ of virus, but succumbed to an acute poliomyelitic infection. The remaining 3 received 2.4 g of inoculum, had antibody titers in their sera of approximately 2000 against 10 LD₅₀ of virus and did not develop the disease. Each of 2 additional inoculations resulted in an increase in antibody of the serum to levels of 5100 and 8300 against 10 LD₅₀ of virus. Despite the fact that Lansing virus antibody in the serum of three monkeys reached high titers, no evidence was obtained for the presence of antibody in the feces. Antibody was not detected in single specimens in the feces obtained from 6 humans whose sera had moderate titers of antibody to the Lansing strain of poliomyelitis virus. It is concluded on the basis of these data that antibody in feces is not an important factor in the resistance of the rhesus monkey, and probably of man, to infection with poliomyelitis virus.