A FILTERABLE VIRUS PRESENT IN THE SUBMAXILLARY GLANDS OF GUINEA PIGS

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Abstract
The constant occurrence of nuclear inclusion bodies in lesions associated with certain filterable viruses has lead many to believe that these nuclear changes represent a specific reaction to the filterable virus. Nuclear changes occurring in the duct cells of submaxillary glands in guinea pigs, similar to those in lesions of herpes simplex, herpes zoster and varicella, had previously been described. Attempts were made to demonstrate a filterable virus in the submaxillary glands of guinea pigs showing these lesions. It was found that when young guinea pigs were inoculated intracerebrally with emulsions of submaxillary glands of guinea pigs showing these alterations of the nuclei, the animals died 5-6 days after injection, with symptoms of meningitis. Histological examination of the brain showed a marked meningeal exudate containing cells with typical nuclear inclusion bodies. The active agent was found to be filterable through a Berkfeld candle, thermolabile and resistant to 50% glycerol. Additional evidence is thus presented that the presence of cells with nuclear inclusion bodies in any lesion indicates that the injury is probably due to a filterable virus.