This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Dolin, R. Articles by Sereno, M. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Dolin, R. Articles by Sereno, M. M.

Detection and Localization of Viruses in Human Fetal Intestinal Organ Cultures by Immunofluorescence

Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20014
Evans Memorial Department of Clinical Research, Boston University School of Medicine, University Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02118

ABSTRACT

Viral antigens from viruses belonging to four different viral groups were detected directly in human fetal intestinal organ cultures by the application of immunofluorescent techniques. The time of appearance and the cellular localization of fluorescent-stainable antigen varied with the type of virus under investigation. After infection with adenovirus or with adeno-associated virus, fluorescent-stainable antigen was seen in the epithelial cells of the explants, though no light microscopic changes could be observed. In infection with herpes simplex virus and echovirus, fluorescence was noted in both the epithelium and the lamina propria, along with histological changes throughout the organ culture. These techniques offer promise for the investigation of possible viral agents implicated in gastrointestinal disease.