STRESS AND VIRAL-INFECTION - TIME-COURSE OF EXPRESSION OF INFLUENZA-AVIRUS-ANTIGENS UNDER THE EFFECT OF IMMOBILIZATION STRESS

The level of expression of influenza virus antigens in the target orga n is an important characteristic of the severity of a viral process, a s was shown on a model of experimental influenza A. Stress exposure au gmenting the severity of the infection stimulates the expression of vi ral polypeptides in the acute period of the disease. Injection of an a ntioxidant ionol which is effective in influenza may prevent stress-en hanced synthesis of viral proteins. Stress-induced disorder of the mec hanisms of formation of immunological memory is paralleled by accumula tion of high levels of virusspecific proteins in the lungs after repea ted exposure of an animal to a homologous virus. Hence, the level of v iral antigens synthesized in the course of reinfection also helps asse ss the degree of body protection from this agent.