The responses of the popliteal lymph node of the sheep to Ross River and Kunjin viruses.
The responses of popliteal lymph nodes of sheep to Ross River virus (RRV) or Kunjin virus (KV) have been studied by monitoring the cell populations, virus titre, antibody titre and plaque-forming cell (PFC) content of the efferent lymph. In a typical primary response to subcutaneous inoculation in the lower hind limb of either RRV or KV, the flow rate of lymph increased slightly. Increased cell concentrations in the lymph following inoculation caused the hourly cell outputs to rise 5.3- to 10.1-fold above pre-challenge levels. High cell outputs were sustained at greater than 3-fold above pre-challenge figures for up to 10 days. The increased number of large, blastic lymphocytes ranged from 4.0- to 14.9-fold; the increase in these cells usually followed the rise in total number of lymphocytes by 24 to 48 h and remained at greater than 3-fold higher levels for up to 12 days. Ross River virus was recovered in the efferent lymph for at least 36 h after inoculation. Sudden disappearance of the virus from the lymph was correlated with the onset of significant haemagglutination-inhibition antibody titres by 3 to 4 days after infection. In the efferent lymph, PFC were detected 5 to 7 days after primary or secondary inoculation of KV or RRV when lymphocytes were incubated with specific haemagglutinin-coated goose erythrocytes and guinea-pig complement. Antibody levels in the lymph were persistent while the occurrence of PFC was transient.
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001102:Arbovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D001103:Arboviruses / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D008196:Lymph / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes; D012398:Ross River virus / Q000276:immunology; D012756:Sheep
D000914:Antibodies, Viral