Effect of influenza virus infection on allergic sensitization to aerosolized ovalbumin in mice

An IgE antibody specific to ovalbumin was produced when C3H mice were first infected with influenza A virus before challenge with the aerosolized antigen. No antibody could be detected in those animals without preceding viral infection. Antigen inhalation immediately after virus infection could not induce the IgE antibody. A time lag of at least 2 days was required to sensitize the infected mice with inhaled antigen. The study revealed that allergic sensitization could be elicited only during the acute stage of the infection, but not in the convalescent stage. We concluded therefore that the inflammation of respiratory mucous membrane might allow inhaled antigens to penetrate the barrier, resulting in reaginic antibody production that has the capacity to serve as an allergic response.