Replication of influenza virus in organ cultures of human and simian urogenital tissues and human foetal tissues.

A survey of human adult tissues in organ cultures showed that influenza viruses (A/Moscow/1019/65 (h2n2) or a recombinant virus virulent for man (PR/8-A/England/939/69 Clone 7a(H3N2)) could infect uterus, bladder and conjunctiva but not oesophagus under the conditions employed; simian bladder and uterus were also susceptible. These results were similar to those already described for corresponding ferret tissues. Organ cultures of human foetal nasal mucosa, trachea, oesophagus, small and large intestine, and bladder consistently supported replication over 4 days or more with high virus yields. Lung, conjunctiva and umbilical cord were less consistently susceptible and gave lower yields. Placenta and kidney cultures allowed replication of virus in one of 8 and one of 4 experiments respectively, the yields being low and of short duration. Organ cultures of neural tissue (meninges and brain), lymphopoietic tissue (spleen, liver and thymus) and amnion did not support significant viral replication. The results are discussed in relation to possible infection of the foetus in utero with influenza virus.