[Interferon-inducing effect of influenza viruses following aerogenic and oral administration in NMRI mice].

The aim of our study was to investigate the interferoninducing effect of aerogenic or oral uptake of influenza viruses in animals. NMRI-mice were infected with mouse-adapted influenza viruses (A/PR/8/34, H1 N1) by aerogen and oral route. In one-day-intervals interferon titers were determined in lung lavage fluids and in lung tissues within nine days after infection. The aerogenic infection led to an increase in interferon followed by a plateau and followed by a slope. The same course of interferon given in lower values was seen in animals after oral virus uptake. The results support the idea of a stimulation of local defense mechanisms in the lung after oral antigen uptake.