[Stress and viral infection: dynamics of expression of influenza A viral antigens during immobilization stress].

The level of expression of influenza virus antigens in the target organ is an important characteristic of the severity of a viral process, as was shown on a model of experimental influenza A. Stress exposure augmenting the severity of the infection stimulates the expression of viral polypeptides in the acute period of the disease. Injection of an antioxidant ionol which is effective in influenza may prevent stress-enhanced synthesis of viral proteins. Stress-induced disorder of the mechanisms of formation of immunological memory is paralleled by accumulation of high levels of virus-specific proteins in the lungs after repeated exposure of an animal to a homologous virus. Hence, the level of viral antigens synthesized in the course of reinfection also helps assess the degree of body protection from this agent.