Studies on the Inability of Rhinovirus to Survive and Replicate in The Intestinal Tract of Volunteers

SummaryFollowing intranasal inoculation with rhinovirus NIH 1059, 9 of 9 volunteers developed a respiratory infection and 7 of 9 had illness ranging from mild rhinitis to febrile upper respiratory tract disease. Only 1 of many stool and rectal swab specimens from these men yielded rhinovirus. No detectable intestinal infection occurred in 3 volunteers who received NIH 1059 in enteric-coated capsules, nor in 5 volunteers inoculated directly into the duodenal lumen via Rehfuss small intestinal tube. Effects of gasitric and duodenal secretions, trypsin, and body temperature (37°C) on growth and survival of NIH 1059 were tested in vitro, and their role in preventing intestinal infection and excretion of rhinoviruses evaluated.Gratitude is expressed to the following: Miss Joan C. Enterline, Mr. Holly Smith, and Mr. Leonard P. Durocher, for technical assistance; Mr. Franklyn Gray, Assistance Supervisor, Normal Volunteer Program, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, and officials of the Bureau of Pris...