10 K: a large‐scale prospective longitudinal study in Israel

European Journal of Epidemiology - The 10 K is a large-scale prospective longitudinal cohort and biobank that was established in Israel. The primary aims of the study include development...     

Effect of immunosuppression on the development and outcome of an acute infection in mice caused by administration of the Lassa virus

In experimental infection of mice with Lassa virus, the infectious virus could be detected in all the organs and brain tissues tested. Histopathological lesions were demonstrated in cerebral and spinal cord tissues only. Roentgen irradiation in a dose of 500 R and cyclophosphamide protected mice against a lethal Lassa virus dose. Cyclosporin A in various doses exerted no effect on the outcome of the acute infection. The adoptive transfer of splenocytes from mouse donors inoculated intraperitoneally prevented the development of lethal disease symptoms and death of mice-recipients. It is suggested that immunocompetent cells are involved in the development and outcome of experimental infection of mice with Lassa virus.     

Immunization of rabbits with Lassa virus

The parameters of humoral and cell-mediated immunity after inoculation of the infectious and inactivated antigen of Lassa virus to rabbits which are insusceptible to this infection were studied. Lassa virus antigen was demonstrated to induce synthesis of specific antibodies in rabbits the level of which was proportional to the dose of inoculation and the time of immunization. The results of leukocyte blastogenesis test and delayed type hypersensitivity test confirm the development of sensitization to inactivated Lassa virus in immune rabbits.