Considerations about the possible function of ceruloplasmin in influenza and parainfluenza virus infections.

The experimental data reveal that ceruloplasmin is a serum nonspecific factor acting during the early and late stages of infection with some respiratory viruses. This complex action seems to be based both on the enzymatic activity and on the copper-glycoprotein structure of ceruloplasmin. The changes in progen antigenicity produced by ceruloplasmin are probably involved in the mechanism of the antigenic shift and drift.