Pathogenesis of Influenza Virus Infection in Mouse Tracheal Organ Cultures

Abstract

Influenza A/PR-8 virus was shown to replicate and produce ciliostasis in mouse tracheal organ cultures. Histological sections of infected tissue revealed progressing damage to the epithelium resulting in complete desquamation of the epithelial surface of the tracheal explant. Electron microscopy studies showed that the virion attached to and caused clumping of the cilia.