THE ANTIGENIC RELATIONSHIP OF THE VIRUSES OF MENINGOPNEUMONITIS AND LYMPHOGRANULOMA VENEREUM

Animals recovered from infection with the viruses of lymphogranuloma venereum, meningopneumonitis, and psittacosis, were reinoculated in crossimmunity tests with these viruses. In mice immunized by intracerebral or intranasal inoculation a reciprocal partial cross-immunity between the viruses of lymphogranuloma venereum and meningopneumonitis was demonstrated. In preliminary experiments, similar cross-immunity between the agents of lymphogranuloma venereum and psittacosis was not definitely demonstrated. Hamsters, white rats, and kangaroo rats recovered from intracerebral or intranasal infection with the virus of lymphogranuloma venereum were more resistant than normal controls to inoculation with the virus of meningopneumonitis. Sera of animals immunized with the viruses of lymphogranuloma venereum and meningopneumonitis showed cross-reactions by complement fixation with antigens of these viruses. The results indicate an antigenic relationship between the viruses of lymphogranuloma venereum and meningopneumonitis.