Teratogenic Effects of Herpes Simplex, Vaccinia, Influenza - A (NWS), and Distemper Virus Infections on Early Chick Embryos.

Asian Influenza During Pregnancy and Congenital Malformations

“…Hamburger & Habel (1947) presented experimental evidence that influenza A virus has a teratogenic effect on chick embryos when applied directly to the embryo. These results have been confirmed in later experimental studies (Adams et al 1956, Heath et al 1956). Carter's extensive series (1950) consisted of 44 mothers with a history of colds during pregnancy, yet it included no foetal anomalies.…”

Influenza infections during pregnancy in the mouse

“…Chick embryos and rhesus monkeys have been used in addition to mice for assessing the potential teratogenicity of influenza infections. Direct inoculation of early chick embryos through the vitelline membrane with A/NWS (HON1) and A/PR 8 (HONI) strains of influenza produced a number of malformations including microencephaly, axial flexion, retardation of the lens, and myeloschisis (Hamburger & Habel, 1947;Heath et al 1956;Robertson, Williamson & Blattner, 1960). Hydrocephalus was observed in rhesus monkeys after direct inoculation of A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) into the brains of fetuses at the beginning of the 3rd trimester (London, Fuccillo, Sever & Kent, 1975).…”

The Biologic Perturbations of Persistent Embryonic Mumps Virus Infection

“…Herpes simplex, vaccinia, influenza, and Newcastle disease viruses cause significant lesions in the primitive structures of the brain, spinal cord, eye, ear, and heart of the early chicken embryo [8,24,34]. Large inocula of virus are required to produce these teratogenic defects and are usually lethal to the embryo.…”