[A new experimental model of vaccinia infection].

The pathogenic, infectious, and immunogenic properties of vaccinia virus were studied in various species of small laboratory animals (mice of different ages, Syrian hamsters, guinea pigs, white and cotton rats, rabbits). Cotton rats were found to be most susceptible to the infection. Vaccinia virus in this species causes an acute, frequently lethal infection. The inoculated virus intensively accumulated in parenchymatous organs, and this was accompanied by a marked rise of hemagglutinating and virus-neutralizing antibody levels.