Affinity of Sendai virus for the inner ear of mice.

The direct immunofluorescent antibody method revealed that Sendai virus, which was thought to be most prevalent in respiratory diseases in mice, infected the inner ear of mice when the virus was injected intracerebrally. Specific immunofluorescence that indicated the presence of antigens of Sendai virus was observed in both perilymphatic and endolymphatic structures. The routes of virus spread are discussed. This experimental study, using newborn mice and Sendai virus, may be useful for the investigation of the pathogenesis of viral labyrinthitis not only because of the high frequency of inner ear infection, but also because of long-time survivors which facilitate prolonged observation.