RELATIONSHIP OF INTERFERON SYNTHESIS AND THE RESISTANCE OF MICE INFECTED WITH STREET RABIES VIRUS

Genetically homogeneous and heterogeneous mouse populations were teste d for resistance to experimental street rabies virus infection and the ir ability to synthesize interferon (IFN) during the infection. The ge netically heterogenous H-1 mouse population was highly resistant (12% mortality), and the genetically homogeneous BALB/c and C3H mice as wel l as the genetically heterogeneous Sw and L(1) mouse populations were susceptible (60 to 71% mortality). The genetically homogeneous A/J mic e were highly susceptible (85% mortality) to experimental street rabie s infection. The ability of these mice to synthesize IFN as measured i n serum 4 days after the infection was directly related to the degree of resistance, with the highly resistant H-1 mice showing large amount s of IFN (850 U/ml), and the susceptible mice showing low amounts of I FN (50 to 280 U/ml). IFN induced within the central nervous system and measured in brain homogenates during infection was not correlated wit h resistance. The present data suggest that high levels of IFN occurri ng in serum early during infection with street rabies virus contribute to the resistance of these mice.