Differences in cytolytic T cell response of BALB/c mice infected with myocarditic and non-myocarditic strains of coxsackievirus group B, type 3.

Two strains of coxsackie B-3 virus, indistinguishable by neutralization with acute mouse antiserum to coxsackie B-3 group virus, differ markedly in pathogenicity. One strain induces extensive mononuclear cell infiltration and necrosis in the heart, and 92% of the infected animals die by day 10 after infection. Inflammation, cardiac damage, and mortality are reduced in mice infected with the nonmyocarditic virus. Peak virus replication occurs on day 3 with both viruses. Virus concentrations decrease to undetectable levels after day 12 of infection. Cytolytic T cells could be isolated from the spleens of animals inoculated with either virus. The spleen cells preferentially lysed target cells infected with the immunizing virus strain. These results suggest that the myocarditic and nonmyocarditic viruses induce only minimally noncross-reacting virus-specific antigens on the target cell surface.