[Reticuloendothelial system and persistence of influenza virus in the body]

The method of in situ transcription was used to detect influenza virus genome in the organs of infected mice. Virus-specific RNA was found in the alveolar macrophages 5 months after infection, this confirming the capacity of the virus to persist in vivo in these cells for a long time. Evidence in favor of influenza virus modification in an infected host body is presented, which fact dramatically affects virus interactions with macrophages. Problems in the development of acute and persistent infections and influenza virus persistence in reticuloendothelial cells are discussed.