EFFECT OF STANDARD BACTERIAL VACCINE ON INFLUENZA VIRUS INFECTION AND INTERFERON PRODUCTION IN GERMFREE MICE

A standard bacterial vaccine (SBV) induced interferon (IF) production and reduced the mortality due to influenza A2 virus infection in germfree mice. These effects were quantitatively comparable in conventional and germfree mice. The length of survival was somewhat shorter in conventional mice. It is concluded, that SBV exerts a direct effect on the viral infection probably partly mediated by IF induction. The role of resident bacterial flora is discussed.