Murine Cytomegalovirus

Abstract

McCordock and Smith (1936) produced extensive visceral lesions after injecting infected salivary gland material intraperitoneally and intracerebrally in C57 black mice and in “Buffalo strain” mice. About 50% of the latter died or were moribund when killed between the fourth and seventh day after inoculation. The most extensive lesions were in the liver, spleen, adrenals, lymph nodes, and subperitoneal connective tissues and fat. Focal areas of necrosis, inflammation, and cells with intranuclear inclusions were observed in these tissues. Less extensive changes were found in the lungs, kidneys, intestines, and pancreas. Changes were found in the lungs and pancreas of about half of the animals. No lesions were found in the salivary gland before the eighth day after infection, but inclusion bodies were found in the acinar cells when they were examined thereafter. Brodsky and Rowe (1958) found lesions in the salivary gland 60 days but not 120 days after infection. In animals that survived, the pancreas and salivary gland were the only sites of pathology.