Effect of respiratory infection on the elution of benzo[a]pyrene from carbon particles in the respiratory tract of mice.

The effect of respiratory infection by PR8 influenza virus on the elution of bnezo[a]pyrene (BaP) from carbon particles in the respiratory tract of mice was studied. In mice, this virus produces, among other pheneomena, a proteinaceous effusion and mixed cellular exudate in the alveolar parenchyma during the acute phase of infection. If BaP-coated carbon particles are introduced into the respiratory tract during the acute stage of infection, the rate of BaP elution from the carbon particles is increased. When BaP-coated carbon particles were instilled in the respiratory tract either 1 wk before or 2 wk after the acute stage of infection, the BaP elution rate from carbon particles were similar to that in uninfected animals.