ENZOOTIC SENDAI INFECTION IN LABORATORY HAMSTERS1

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Abstract
During the course of experimental work in baby hamsters, an agent typical of Sendai virus was recovered from the lungs of both manipulated and control animals. The agent was identified by its growth in various cell cultures and by hemagglutination-inhibition, complement-fixation, and hemadsorption-neutralization tests. Further investigation revealed that the colony in which the animals were maintained had serologic evidence of enzootic infection with Sendai virus in hamsters, guinea pigs, and mice. Seronegative adult hamsters introduced into the colony promptly developed antibodies, although without symptoms. Sendai virus infection had been present at least since 1962 but had been asymptomatic except for occasional deaths in suckling hamsters. Although the original source of the virus remained obscure, continuous introduction of newborn animals seemed to be the mechanism for persistence of the agent.

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