The pathogenesis of western equine encephalitis virus (W.E.E.) in adult hamsters with special reference to the long and short term effects on the C.N.S. of the attenuated clone 15 variant.

  • 1 February 1972
    • journal article
    • Vol. 53  (1) , 59-77
Abstract
The pathogenesis of the virulent strain of western encephalitis virus was compared with that of the attenuated Clone 15 of the virus. The results of the work showed that the 2 strains replicated equally in the C.N.S. and produced lesions of encephalitis, but whereas in infections with the virulent strain there was 100 per cent mortality, infection with the attenuated strain did not produce signs of disease but gave rise to immunity and protection against challenge with the virulent strain of virus. Differences were also observed in the degree of brain damage and in virus replication curves depending on the route of infection. In Clone 15 the route of infection influenced also the levels of antibody production.