| Abstrakt: |
To the Editor.—The article by Stanley et al that describes increased virus shedding with aspirin treatment did not include mention of a possible mechanism of action. Several years ago, we conducted a simple study that may explain the increased virus shedding. Noting that our virologist used an incubator setting of 35 C for optimal growth of respiratory tract virus and that a setting of 37 C was a deterrent to viral growth (Microbiology, ed 2. New York, Harper & Row Publishers, 1973, p 1212), we placed tissue cultures inoculated with influenza virus in incubators with temperatures of 35, 37, and 39 C. Little cytopathogenicity was observed at the "fever" temperature of 39 C. Some cytopathogenicity of the influenza virus was observable at the body temperature of 37 C, but optimal growth of the virus (as shown by extensive cytopathogenicity with morphologic changes, loss of attachment, and death) was |
