Interferon- /beta Is Not Involved in Resistance of Mice to Reinfection with Encephalomyocarditis Virus

SUMMARY Swiss mice immunized with formalin-inactivated encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) produced antibodies to EMCV and were protected when infected intraperitoneally with EMCV. Administration of a potent sheep anti-mouse interferon-α/β (IFN-α/β) globulin before reinfection did not alter the vaccine-induced protection. Reinfection was associated with a rapid disappearance of the virus at the site of injection and viraemia was not demonstrable. IFN was not detected in the peritoneum or serum. Furthermore, injection of anti-IFN globulin before, during or after vaccination did not modify the humoral response to vaccination or to reinfection. These results indicate that IFN-α/β does not play a significant role in the resistance of mice to reinfection with EMCV.