Replication of Langat virus in immunocompetent cells of mice subjected to immobilization stress.

Immobilization stress (hypokinesis) in Balb/c mice may aggravate asymptomatic infection with Langat virus (strain TP-21) as evidenced by 4-fold increased lethality in comparison with control animals. The virus levels in the spleen and brain of stressed and infected mice and the in vitro yield of the virus in immunocompetent cells derived from stressed mice were significantly higher than in controls. Enhanced virus replication in latter cells may contribute to increased accumulation of the infectious agent in lymphatic tissues, which would facilitate virus invasion into CNS followed with acute disease and death of animals.