Cytomegalovirus-induced pneumonitis and myocarditis in newborn mice. A model for perinatal human cytomegalovirus infection.

Genetically determined resistance to the lethal effects of infection with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) has been reported previously in adult and newborn mice. We examined the pathogenesis of MCMV infection in resistant (CBA, H-2k) and susceptible (BALB/c, H-2d) mice infected intraperitoneally on the day of birth. BALB/c mice developed a severe interstitial pneumonitis and myocarditis 10 days post-infection. Their pulmonary and tissues contained high MCMV titres and large numbers of MCMV-antigen positive cells. MCMV also infected the endothelial and myointimal cells of the coronary arteries in newborn BALB/c mice. Only limited infection and pathological changes were seen in CBA mice. Since the severe disease in BALB/c mice resembles the pneumonitis and less frequently reported myocarditis observed after perinatal HCMV infection, the newborn mouse model will be useful for studying the consequences and treatment of such infections, the influence of the host genotype on disease severity and the possible association between perinatal HCMV infection and atherosclerosis.