Virus-Inactivating Capacity of Nasal Secretions in the Acute and Convalescent Stages of Influenza.

Abstract

In 9 of 10 human individuals, natural infection with virus of influenza, Type A, was followed by the development of, or a sharp increase in, the capacity of their nasal secretions to inactivate the virus. Although not numerically parallel, increases in neutralizing antibodies of the blood were also observed. These results add further support to the earlier conclusion that virus-inactivating substance in nasal secretions possesses the characteristics of antibody.