Causation and Acute Viral Diseases

摘要: The discovery of viruses, their growth in mice, tissue culture, and embryonated eggs brought new problems causation reemphasized the limitations original Henle—Koch postulates. Dr. Thomas Rivers (Figure 3.1), distinguished American virologist, discussed these issues his presidential address before Society Immunology 1937 (Rivers, 1937). had headed virology research program at Rockefeller Foundation and, with Frank Horsfall, edited one first great texts (Rivers 1959). In lecture, he pointed out that blind adherence to Koch’s postulates might sometimes act as a hindrance rather than an aid. For example, idea infectious malady can be caused only by action single agent is incorrect. If Shope adhered this notion, would never have discovered swine influenza it occurs nature combined or synergistic two agents, virus not cultivable on lifeless media, other ordinary hemophilic bacterium (Shope, 1931). requirement grown pure state media also hindered establishment causal relation viruses disease, because require living tissues for propagation, chick embryo culture. Thus, felt “Koch’s been fulfilled viral diseases.” place suggested conditions met specific disease established (Table 3.1).