Studies with Rhinoviruses in Volunteers: Production of Illness, Effect of Naturally Acquired Antibody, and Demonstration of a Protective Effect Not Associated with Serum Antibody*

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Abstract
Inoculation of 57 adult male volunteers with rhinoviruses NIH 353, 1734, and 11757 was followed by a high frequency of common colds. Shedding of virus was detected in nasopharyngeal wash specimens from 47 volunteers and there was a similar high frequency of 4-fold or greater rises in serum neutralizing antibody titer. Decreasing frequency and severity of illness correlated with increasing titers of naturally acquired antibody versus NIH 1734. The protection afforded by naturally acquired antibody was limited, however, as demonstrated by several illnesses and frequent virus shedding. In contrast, volunteers homologously rechallenged with the 3 agents at 1 month, when induced antibody titers were relatively low, exhibited complete resistance to illness and almost complete absence of virus shedding. Evidence suggests that this resistance, apparently independent of serum antibody, is of brief duration.