Rubella Infection of Human Leukocytes

CURRENT interest in the effect of viruses on chromosome morphology in man has resulted from the observations made on cultured leukocytes from measles-infected patients1,2and studies of human fibroblast cultures infected with simian virus 40.3,4Hampar and Ellison had previously shown that in hamster cell cultures herpes simplex infection produced chromosome changes similar to those reported with x-radiation and chemical mutagens.5A relationship between the cytologic changes noted with these virus infections of cells and neoplastic changes has been inferred from these studies. It seemed tempting to seek evidence that rubella virus altered chromosome morphology in vivo and in turn to relate such effects to the teratologic disturbances noted in rubella-infected fetuses. We were particularly encouraged by the reports of a mild form of chromosome damage (chromatid breaks) after rubella virus infection of human diploid fibroblasts.6In the recent rubella epidemic a number of infants have