Influenza: exposing the true killer

J Exp Med. 2006 Apr 17;203(4):803. doi: 10.1084/jem.2034fta.

Abstract

In the early 1930s, Richard Shope isolated influenza virus from infected pigs. Shope's finding was quickly followed by the isolation of the influenza virus from humans, proving that a virus-not a bacterium, as was widely believed-caused influenza.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Portrait

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, 20th Century
  • Humans
  • Influenza, Human / history*
  • Influenza, Human / virology*
  • Orthomyxoviridae / isolation & purification*
  • Swine / virology*
  • Virology / history*