Adaptation of Type I Poliomyelitis Virus to Mice

Abstract

1. The procedures employed in the successful adaption of Type I (Mahoney) polimyelitis virus to Swiss mice are described. This vgirus could also infect hamsters and C3H mice but not cotton rats, while its original virulenece for monkeys was lost. 2. The use of the intraspinal route or inoculation and the selection of a mutant or variant of the virus is believed to be responsible for this adaptation. Other possible explanations are discussed. 3. With this attainment, all 3 poliomyelitis virus types have now been adapted to mice. This will permit more rapid progress in field and laboratory studies of poliomyelitis.