| Abstract: | Changes in the virulence of influenza virus A/Aichi/2/68 LD50 were studied in albino mice with immunosuppression induced by long-acting glucocorticoid kenalog (Kn). In high doses (5 and 10 micrograms/g) Kn induced a decrease in the adrenal, thymic, and splenic weight, which is typical of steroid immunosuppression. The susceptibility of mice preinjected with Kn to the virus increased more than ten-fold, judging by a decrease in LD50. The detected shifts may be due to disorders in lung tissue resistance and reactivity of alveolar macrophages and neutrophils observed previously in induced glucocorticism. |
