Separation of an Inhibitor of Influenza Virus Hæmagglutination from Human Sputum

Abstract

A SIMILARITY exists between the action of the influenza virus enzyme on the surface of the erythrocyte or cells of the respiratory tract and its action in destroying the inhibitory properties for virus hæmagglutination possessed by certain soluble mucins. This has stimulated much interest in the biological function of the mucins in relation to influenza virus infection and particularly in their chemistry as substrates for influenza virus enzyme action¹. Although studies since 1948 have dealt with influenza virus action on a variety of inhibitors, ranging from those obtainable from serum and urine to those from egg-white, sheep salivary gland and human ovarian cyst, relatively little attention has been paid to the inhibitors present in the secretions actually at the site of influenza virus infection, namely, those in the human nasal and bronchial mucus. Fazekas² has described the change in ‘inhibitor profile’ for certain influenza viruses which takes place in human nasal mucus during influenza. Rose³ has reported that sputum contains factors which inhibit both infectivity (in eggs and mice) and hæmagglutination by influenza virus.