The effect of interferon induction on complement level in rat.

Relatively high levels of interferon were achieved in rat sera by intracardial inoculation with Sindbis virus followed 15 min later by intraperitoneal application of dimethylsulfoxide. At intervals when interferon titres reached the maximum, the levels of complement were decreased as compared with the control group of rats. Single administration of dimethylsulfoxide did neither induce interferon nor influence the complement levels in sera of rats of the Dobrá Voda breed tested. Similar results were obtained with concentrated Newcastle disease virus inoculated intraperitoneally. Of interest is the finding that properdin levels seem to increase at the same time as interferon.