Search for a human leukemia virus

Summary In summary, we examined the bone marrow and blood of 107 leukemic children for the presence of virus or virus-like structures. Material for study included both fresh specimens and cells cultivated over varying periods of time. In four instances in which patients' plasma was inoculated onto human amnion cells and in one instance of cultivated bone marrow, we observed particles morphologically similar to myxoviruses. Indirect immunofluorescence testing for antigens of murine leukemia viruses failed to demonstrate fluorescence in leukemic cells. Studies are in progress on a continuous leukemic bone marrow culture to recover in recognizable form either replicating virus or viral genome.Dedicated to ProfessorJohn F. Enders on the occasion of his 70th birthday.These studies were supported by U.S.P.H.S. Grants CA 05176, CA 08480 and CA 07054, from the National Cancer Institute and by American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC).