The effect of species and organ-specific features of tissue systems on the reactogenic and immunogenic properties of influenza virus.

The dynamics of changes in the reactogenic and immunogenic properties of influenza A/Hong Kong/1/68 (H3N2) virus in the course of serial passages in white mice, chick embryos, chick, cow and pig embryo kidney tissue cultures and in rat, guinea pig, chick embryo, cow embryo and pig embryo trachea organ cultures was studied. The rate of virus attenuation was found to depend not only on the species origin of tissue systems but also on their organ specificity. In rapid, 24-hour passages in chick embryos attenuation of the virus developed more rapidly and its immunogenic potency was retained better than in 48-hour passages or cultivation in another tissue system.