The replication of influenza A viruses in organ cultures of human nasal polyps

Organ cultures of human nasal polyps were shown to support the replication of five out of seven human influenza A viruses and three out of six avian strains with varying degrees of efficiency. The ability to replicate was independent of the antigenic formula of the virus. The structure of nasal polyps closely resembled that of normal nasal mucosa and infection with influenza A virus resulted in histological changes analogous to those seen in natural infections. This system provides an in vitro method for more detailed studies of influenza A virus and possibly other respiratory virus infections of man.