Encephalitis Caused by Murine Cytomegalovirus in Newborn and Weanling Mice

Abstract

Lesions in mice inoculated intracerebrally with murine cytomegalovirus varied with age of the animals. Inoculation of suckling mice led to severe necrotizing encephalitis followed by cerebral malformation characterized by destruction of the sub-ventricular zone of the forebrain, areas of cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Symmetrical, mineralized, partially cavitated lesions developed in these areas as a sequel of infection. Infection of 3-week-old mice led to mild, nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis accompanied by ependymitis and focal ependymal denudation without apparent sequelae.