Results of a two-year study of humoral immunity to influenza A and B viruses in children under the age of 14 years in Moscow and its suburbs

A serological survey of antibodies to influenza A(H1N1), A(H2N2), A(H3N2) and B viruses was done with sera collected in Moscow in October 1980 and November 1981 from 542 children under 14 years of age. The results of the study showed convincingly that influenza A(H2N2) viruses were not circulating in Moscow in 1980-81. Low titres found in the sera from four young children were due to cross-reactions which were eliminated from the sera by absorption with A/USSR/174/79(H3N2) virus. Low-level HI titres with A(H0N1) virus in 11 sera were not confirmed by single radial haemolysis (SRH).     

Activity of DNA-dependent RNA polymerases A and B in spleen nuclei of mice infected with Rauscher leukemia virus]

The activity of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase A and B in isolated nuclei of spleens of mice infected with Rauscher leukemia virus was studied. A 3-fold increase in the activity of both RNA-polymerases in leukemic spleens was established. Study of the properties of RNA-polymerase B from nuclei of spleens of mice infected with Rauscher virus in comparison with the enzyme from normal tissue revealed the existence of some specific features in the enzyme from leukemic cells. The nature of the increased activity of RNA-polymerase B in leukemic cells is discussed.